wood rat

wood rat
n.

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Any of 22 species (genus Neotoma, family Cricetidae) of rodents that are nocturnal vegetarians of North and Central American deserts, forests, and mountains.

Wood rats are buff, gray, or reddish brown, usually with white undersides and feet. They have large ears and are 9–19 in. (23–47 cm) long, including the 3–9-in. (8–24-cm) furry tail. The nest, up to 3 ft (1 m) across and usually built of twigs or cactus, is placed in a protected spot (e.g., under a rock ledge). Wood rats are sometimes called pack rats because they collect material to deposit in their dens.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Wood rat — Wood Wood, n. [OE. wode, wude, AS. wudu, wiodu; akin to OHG. witu, Icel. vi?r, Dan. & Sw. ved wood, and probably to Ir. & Gael. fiodh, W. gwydd trees, shrubs.] [1913 Webster] 1. A large and thick collection of trees; a forest or grove; frequently …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wood rat — Rat Rat (r[a^]t), n. [AS. r[ae]t; akin to D. rat, OHG. rato, ratta, G. ratte, ratze, OLG. ratta, LG. & Dan. rotte, Sw. r[*a]tta, F. rat, Ir. & Gael radan, Armor. raz, of unknown origin. Cf. {Raccoon}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) One of several species of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wood rat — wood′ rat n. mam pack rat 1) • Etymology: 1750–60 …   From formal English to slang

  • wood rat — ☆ wood rat n. PACK RAT …   English World dictionary

  • wood rat — noun any of various small short tailed rodents of the northern hemisphere having soft fur grey above and white below with furred tails and large ears; some are hosts for Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis (Lyme disease ticks) • Syn: ↑wood rat …   Useful english dictionary

  • wood-rat — noun any of various small short tailed rodents of the northern hemisphere having soft fur grey above and white below with furred tails and large ears; some are hosts for Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis (Lyme disease ticks) • Syn: ↑wood rat …   Useful english dictionary

  • wood rat — /ˈwʊd ræt/ (say wood rat) noun → pack rat …  

  • wood rat — a rat of the genus Neotoma, also known as bush rat, pack rat, and trade rat. These rats are hosts of fleas and ticks …   Medical dictionary

  • wood rat — noun Date: 1763 any of numerous soft furred cricetid rodents (especially genus Neotoma) of North and Central America that have well furred tails, large ears, and a characteristic tendency to hoard food and debris on or near their dens called also …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • wood rat. — See pack rat (def. 1). [1750 60] * * * …   Universalium

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