PARKS — NEOTOMA IN SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS 
241 
THE GENUS NEOTOMA IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS 
- By Harold E. Parks 
Wherever he goes in the hills and woods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, 
California, sooner or later will the camper become acquainted with 
the little rodent commonly known as the woodrat. Not so much will 
he see of the animals themselves as of their astounding activities. To 
the camper, the woodsman, and the rancher the woodrat becomes a 
nuisance and a serious pest. Destructive to a high degree, versatile 
in its habits, adaptable to all conditions, it is an animal of considerable 
economic importance. 
The prevailing idea is that there are two distinct species in this region 
but after lengthy observation I am inclined to recognize but one. This 
is Neotoma fuscipes annectens. Its varied activities have brought into 
common use the names ‘‘bushraP^ and ‘‘traderat.^’ The destructive 
activities are attributed to the bush or woodrat. The name traderat 
comes from the habit of replacing stolen articles with others, such as 
sticks, stones, dry bones, or pieces of dry cow manure. Variations 
in environment may account for these diverse habits but there is no 
apparent difference in the animals. 
In the woods on all sides will be seen the nests of these rodents. 
Beyond recognition of the nests as the homes of the animals very little 
seems to be known of the inhabitants themselves. They are very 
shy and are seldom seen in daylight. On rare occasions one may be 
driven from a nest or seen wandering aimlessly in the trees during the 
day, but the activities are mainly nocturnal. 
Several years ago in a camp in the mountains these animals became 
a source of annoyance. This camp was made in a steep little side 
canyon away from the travelled road and under some spreading live 
oaks. On the adjacent hills v/as a dense forest of mixed oaks, together 
with some madrone, redwood, laurel and the usual poison oak and hazel 
underbrush. The camp soon became the recipient of all kinds of 
attention, most of it very undesirable, from the rodents. 
In the immediate vicinity of the camp there did not appear to be 
any of the nests of these animals. Within a few days however many 
articles of food began to disappear. Potatoes and pieces 'of bread 
vanished overnight. Very soon the entire supply of potatoes was gone. 
Then other things went. One evening a large piece of cold boiled 
meat was taken. Another night a large roll of jelly cake was taken. 
