# White-throated Woodrat (*Neotoma albigula*) The White-throated Woodrat is a small, furry animal with a white throat and big ears. They love to build nests out of twigs and leaves, making cozy homes in the wild. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert ![White-throated Woodrat](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/White-throated_woodrat.jpg&width=800) Photo: Roger W. Barbour, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White-throated_woodrat.jpg) ## Appearance The White-throated Woodrat has soft, grayish-brown fur on its back, transitioning to a distinct white throat and belly. It possesses large, rounded ears and a moderately long, hairy but not bushy tail, making it distinct from many common house rats. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Cricetidae - **Genus:** Neotoma ## Interesting facts - A white patch under their chin gives this desert rodent its name. - Some woodrat middens can be over 2,000 years old! - These amazing rats can actually digest toxic desert plants! - They keep a special "bathroom" area clean inside their stick homes. ## Special abilities - **Cactus Conqueror:** White-throated Woodrats can safely eat spiny cacti because they have special jaws and teeth that help them strip away spines. - **Fortress Builder:** White-throated Woodrats construct large, complex nests called "middens" that protect them from predators and extreme weather. - **Water Saver:** White-throated Woodrats can get all the water they need from the plants they eat, helping them survive in dry desert environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-23 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-3 years - **Speed:** 18 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-4 - **Gestation:** 30-33 days ## Diet & Feeding A desert herbivore that mostly eats cactus, leaves, seeds, and fruits to stay hydrated. - **Primary Foods:** Cactus, Mesquite, Yucca, Seeds, Leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Common predator hunting woodrats in desert environments. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Nocturnal raptor that preys on woodrats from above. - **Eats:** [Prickly Pear Cactus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prickly-pear-cactus) (*Opuntia engelmannii*) — A primary food source, providing both food and water. - **Eaten by:** [Western Diamondback Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-diamondback-rattlesnake) (*Crotalus atrox*) — A snake that often hunts woodrats within their middens. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a woodrat, watch quietly from a distance. They are shy and prefer not to be disturbed. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White-throated Woodrat? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is White-throated Woodrat? 15-23 cm ### How much does White-throated Woodrat weigh? 0.15-0.3 kg ### How long does White-throated Woodrat live? 2-3 years ### How fast can White-throated Woodrat move? 18 km/h ### What does White-throated Woodrat eat? A desert herbivore that mostly eats cactus, leaves, seeds, and fruits to stay hydrated. ### Where is White-throated Woodrat usually found? Desert ### How does White-throated Woodrat hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [White-throated Woodrat: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-throated-woodrat)