Arizona woodrat

The Arizona woodrat (Neotoma devia) is a species of rodent found in North and Central America, belonging to the genus Neotoma. These medium-sized rodents are also known as packrats due to their habit of collecting various items, including food, bones, and even shiny objects, near their dens. These collections are called middens and can provide valuable insights into past environments.12

The Arizona woodrat is one of the smaller species, weighing less than 4.7 ounces and measuring up to 5.9 inches in body length, with a tail of similar length that is densely haired but not bushy. They have large eyes, prominent ears, and soft fur that varies in color. Woodrats are nocturnal, active year-round, and inhabit diverse environments from deserts to forests. They are herbivores, with some species specializing in diets of juniper, cacti, or yucca.1