Neotoma macrotis Thomas, 1893

Taxonomy and Naming

The big-eared woodrat, scientifically named Neotoma macrotis Thomas, 1893, is a nocturnal rodent belonging to the woodrat genus Neotoma and the family Cricetidae. It is closely related to Neotoma fuscipes, and was formerly included within that species.

Endemic Range

This species is endemic to western North America. It occurs west and south of the Salinas Valley, ranging from the California Coast Ranges south of Monterey Bay to northern Baja California, and also lives in the Sierra Nevada, extending north to the South Fork American River.

Coloration

Big-eared woodrats range in color from light to dark brown, and typically have a lighter-colored underside.

Morphological Features

They have characteristic large mobile ears, large eyes, and a long, fur-covered tail.

Ecological Role

This species is a primarily arboreal herbivore, and acts as an important keystone species in oak and other forest ecosystems.

Range Overlap with Dusky-footed Woodrat

The big-eared woodrat occupies the southern part of what was previously the entire range of the dusky-footed woodrat, while the dusky-footed woodrat itself lives in the northern portion of that range.

Detailed Coastal Distribution

More specifically, big-eared woodrats are found along the west coast of North America from just south of Monterey Bay to Baja California.

Inland and Regional Distribution

They can also be found in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, across much of Southern California, and have discontiguous populations in California's central valley.

Habitat Preferences

Their typical habitats include coastal chaparral, sage scrub, and densely wooded areas, and the species prefers regions that contain coast live oak and have extensive understory plant coverage.