Nelson's woodrat

Nelson's woodrat (Neotoma nelsoni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is endemic to Mexico, where it is known only from the eastern slopes of the volcanoes Orizaba and Cofre de Perote.[1] Due to the small geographic range, isolation, and low population, the Nelson's woodrat has a higher risk for extinction.[2] The distribution and population sizes are small. The population exists in geographic isolation, which prevents gene flow[2]

Nelson's woodrat

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Neotominae
Genus: Neotoma
Species:
N. nelsoni
Binomial name
Neotoma nelsoni
Goldman, 1905

Location

The Nelson's woodrat can only be found on the eastern side of the volcanoes Pico de Orizaba and Cofre de Perote in Mexico. The estimated area for where this species is located is 1,350 km^2. This area includes steep slopes, coffee plantations, and a cloud forest.

  • Elevation range: 970–2,770 m
  • Climate: Humid and warm
  • Precipitation: Rain throughout all months of the year
  • Vegetation: Tropical rain forest[2]

Characteristics [2]
  • Upper Body
    • Cinnamon color
    • White throat
    • Grayish brown cheeks
    • Short and silky hairs
    • Nasal is wedge-shaped
  • Lower Body
    • Tail is multicolored and scaly
    • Toes are an off-white color

Average measurements[3]
  • Total Length: 300 mm
  • Tail vertebrae: 143 mm
  • Hindfoot: 30 mm
  • Ear: 22 mm

Threats

Currently the Nelson's woodrat is threatened by agriculture and invasive species. In Mexico, a conversion to agriculture is taking place which is taking away the home of the Nelson's woodrat. Exotic and invasive species pose a threat to the Nelson's woodrat as potential predators.[4]


Behavior [5]
  • Live in large nests
  • Live alone
  • Females: Care for offspring until they reach maturity
  • Territorial
  • Search for food at night or early mornings


Reproduction [5]
  • Typically reproduce seasonally
  • Produce one or two litters
    • Two to six pups per litter
  • Gestation: One month
  • Reach sexual maturity a few months later
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References
  1. Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T. & Castro-Arellano, I. (2008). "Neotoma nelsoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2009.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of critically endangered.
  2. González-Rúiz, Noé; Ramírez-Pulido, José; Genoways, Hugh H. (January 2006). "Geographic Distribution, Taxonomy, and Conservation Status of Nelson's Woodrat (Neotoma Nelsoni) in Mexico". The Southwestern Naturalist. 51 (1): 112–116. doi:10.1894/0038-4909(2006)51[112:GDTACS]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0038-4909.
  3. Merriam, C. Hart (1894). "A New Subfamily of Murine Rodents: The Neotominæ: With Description of a New Genus and Species and a Synopsis of the Known Forms". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 46: 225–252. ISSN 0097-3157. JSTOR 4062115.
  4. Noroeste), Sergio Ticul Álvarez-Castañeda (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del (2017-01-17). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Nelson's Woodrat". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  5. Oldham, Cydni (2019-10-01). "Pack Rat - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts". Animals Network. Retrieved 2020-04-05.


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