Eastern Woodrat
Neotoma floridana (Ord)
Description: The eastern woodrat, though large, is mouse-like in general appearance. It can be distinguished from other members of its family by: 1) grayish-brown upperparts lighter on the sides, 2) pale, fine, soft fur, 3) white throat, belly, and feet, 4) tail black above, white below, shorter than the head and body and well-furred, and 5) having musk glands on ventral midline of belly which stain the hair yellowish to brownish. Females have six nipples. In their second year the grayish young attain the rich buff pelage of adults. Sexes are colored alike; males are slightly larger than females.
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