http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/lib/pgc/ ... oodrat.pdf
Description: Soft, gray fur, white belly and feet; hairy tail having two colors: gray above, white underneath; short toes and claws; large eyes & ears; long whiskers;
Habitat: Wooded areas, especially around rock ledges, caves, cliff lines, and rock shelters
Kentucky Distribution: Known from only four counties in the state: Edmonson, Menifee, Pulaski, and Wolfe counties
Food: Seeds, nuts, berries; sometimes insects, worms, spiders, bird’s eggs
Voice: Sharp squeal; also makes drumming sounds with tail vibrations or thumping of hind feet when disturbed
Cover: Piles of sticks are constructed containing assortment of green vegetation, sticks, and often trash, such as glass, paper, and metal scraps; may reach a height of five or more feet; cover protects from most predators except snakes and weasels that can maneuver their way inside; nest is shredded bark in a brush pile or rocky crevice
Seasonal Changes: Active through all seasons.
Status: Listed as partial status (PS) under the Federal Endangered Species Act; meaning the status applies to the species in only a portion of its range. Populations in Kentucky seem to be stable.
Ecological Role: Allegheny woodrats have long, sensitive whiskers that help them be active at night (nocturnal). They unknowingly provide food for other animals since their food store (cache) is vulnerable to being stolen. Their bulky nests provide shelter for many other animals such as snakes, toads, salamanders, and rabbits. They help keep the forest floor clean by gnawing on bones, perhaps to sharpen their teeth or to add calcium and other minerals to their diet. Woodrats are a major part of the diet of many meat eaters. Predators of the woodrat include bobcats, coyotes, gray fox, hawks, snakes, weasels, and owls, such as great horned owl and barred owl.
What We Can Do: Conserve habitat by protecting cliff lines, rock shelters, and rock ledges from extensive timber harvest.
Fun Facts: Woodrats do not hibernate but will stay in the nest for long periods of time. They do not need to drink since they get enough water from their food. Woodrats are about the size of a gray squirrel, can live about 3 years in the wild, and have a home range of about 100 yards (91.5m). The woodrat is also known as a packrat because it collects objects and takes them back to the nest. Unusual items that have been found in nests include bits of glass, bones, clothing, flash bulbs, paper, metal scraps, and shotgun shells.