CHAPTER III 

 HABITS OF THE THREE SUBGENERA STUDIED 



The habits of Neotoma are generalized to a very large 

 degree. Apparently this wood rat can not adapt itself to 

 semi-aquatic surroundings as can the Norway rat (Rattus 

 norvegicus) , nor is it ever found in a strictly prairie habitat. 

 It does occur, however, from the very hottest part of the 

 country below sea level to above timberline, and from por- 

 tions of the desert with meager growth to the densest forests 

 of the northwest. It may be found miles from any tree 

 worthy of the name, or living among the branches high over- 

 head. It is at home in an underground burrow at the base 

 of a cactus, in the attic of a deserted building, or among the 

 crannies of a boreal cliff. Activity is almost wholly confined 

 to the hours of darkness, although occasionally the animals 

 may be observed abroad during dayhght. 



The life habits of a species often vary to a considerable 

 extent with locality, depending upon variation in the en- 

 vironment, to which individuals must largely fit themselves. 

 Habits as here set forth apply only to the localities with 

 which the author is familiar. 



Neotoma {Homodontomys) fuscipes macrotis Thomas is an 

 animal of the Upper Sonoran and Transition zones, but it 

 extends also into the Canadian. A typical environment is 

 the side of a canyon, among scattered live oaks and high 

 brush. Here it may build a large nest of sticks, it may 

 supplement this with subterranean burrows, may Uve 

 in the decayed heart of a large oak, or where trees are numer- 

 ous, it frequently constructs nests of respectable size high 

 among the branches. If a nest be kicked to pieces the 

 occupant often seeks escape by climbing a nearby tree and 



8 



