Neotoma lepida Thomas, 1893

Scientific Name and Size Relative to Pack Rats

Desert woodrats, scientifically named Neotoma lepida Thomas, 1893, are relatively small for pack rats.

Total Length and Tail Length

They measure 28 to 39 cm (11 to 15 in) in total length, which includes a 12 to 20 cm (4.7 to 7.9 in) tail.

Weight and Sexual Dimorphism

They weigh between 122 and 350 g (4.3 to 12.3 oz), and males grow larger than females.

Body Color Variation

Their body color varies between individual animals, ranging from pale gray to cinnamon to near-black.

Underpart, Foot, and Throat Fur Coloration

No matter what color the rest of an individual's body is, its underparts and feet are always white, while the otherwise pale fur on the throat is gray at the base.

Tail Characteristics

The tail is clearly bicolored, and has more hair and fewer visible scales than the tails of brown rats.

Head and Appendage Features

Desert woodrats have a narrow snout, long whiskers, and relatively long ears that are nearly the length of their hind feet.

Geographic Distribution Range

In terms of distribution and habitat, desert woodrats range from southeastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho, south through Nevada and western Utah to California in the United States, and into Baja California and extreme northwestern Sonora in Mexico.

General Habitat and Elevation Range

They generally live in sagebrush scrub areas, chaparral, deserts, and rocky slopes with scattered cactus, yucca, pine/juniper, and other low vegetation, occurring at elevations up to 2,900 m (9,500 ft).

Preferred Habitat for Predator Shelter

They are most abundant in rocky areas with many crevices or rock piles, where they can shelter from predators.

Original Subspecies Recognition

Twenty three subspecies were originally recognized, many of which are restricted to small islands in the Gulf of California.

Taxonomic Revision of Related Species

However, following assessments from the ASM and IUCN, Neotoma insularis (Townsend, 1912) is now recognized as a separate species distinct from N. lepida.