Mammals of Washington
Rodentia
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order: Rodentia
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family: Aplodontiidae
- Mountain Beaver
(Aplodontia rufa)
- Mountain Beaver
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family: Sciuridae
- Hoary Marmot
(Marmota caligata)
- Yellow-bellied Marmot
(Marmota flaviventris)
- Olympic Marmot
(Marmota olympus)
- Eastern Gray Squirrel
(Sciurus carolinensis)
- Western Gray Squirrel
(Sciurus griseus)
- Fox Squirrel
(Sciurus niger)
- California Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus beecheyi)
- Columbian Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus columbianus)
- Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus lateralis)
- Piute Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus mollis)
- Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus saturatus)
- Townsend's Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus townsendii)
- Washington Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus washingtoni)
- Yellow-pine Chipmunk
(Tamias amoenus)
- Least Chipmunk
(Tamias minimus)
- Red-tailed Chipmunk
(Tamias ruficaudus)
- Townsend's Chipmunk
(Tamias townsendii)
- Douglas Squirrel
(Tamiasciurus douglasii)
- Red Squirrel
(Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
- Northern Flying Squirrel
(Glaucomys sabrinus)
- Hoary Marmot
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family: Castoridae
- Beaver
(Castor canadensis)
- Beaver
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family: Heteromyidae
- Ord's Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys ordii)
- Great Basin Pocket Mouse
(Parognathus parvus)
- Ord's Kangaroo Rat
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family: Geomyidae
- Mazama Pocket Gopher
(Thomomys mazama)
- Northern Pocket Gopher
(Thomomys talpoides)
- Mazama Pocket Gopher
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family: Dipodidae
- Western Jumping Mouse
(Zapus princeps)
- Pacific Jumping Mouse
(Zapus trinotatus)
- Western Jumping Mouse
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family: Cricetidae
- subfamily:
Arvicolinae
- Sagebrush Vole
(Lemmiscus curtatus)
- Gray-tailed Vole
(Microtus canicaudus)
- Long-tailed Vole
(Microtus longicaudus)
- Montane Vole
(Microtus montanus)
- Creeping Vole
(Microtus oregoni)
- Meadow Vole
(Microtus pennsylvanicus)
- Water Vole
(Microtus richardsoni)
- Townsend's Vole
(Microtus townsendii)
- Red-backed Vole
(Clethrionomys gapperi)
- Muskrat
(Ondatra zibethicus)
- Western Heather Vole
(Phenacomys intermedius)
- Northern Bog Lemming
(Synaptomys borealis)
- Sagebrush Vole
- subfamily:
Neotominae
- Bushy-tailed Woodrat
(Neotoma cinerea)
- Northern Grasshopper Mouse
(Onychomys leucogaster)
- Deer Mouse
(Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Keen's Mouse
(Peromyscus keeni)
- Western Harvest Mouse
(Reithrodontomys megalotis)
- Bushy-tailed Woodrat
- subfamily:
Arvicolinae
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family: Muridae
- House Mouse
(Mus musculus)
- Norway Rat
(Rattus norvegicus)
- Black Rat
(Rattus rattus)
- House Mouse
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family: Erethizontidae
- Porcupine
(Erethizon dorsatum)
- Porcupine
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family: Myocastoridae
- Nutria
(Myocastor coypus)
- Nutria
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family: Aplodontiidae
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Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia rufa)Order Rodentia, Family Aplodontiidae
Range in Washington: Cascades and west.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Forests and thickets, moist areas.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Mostly nocturnal, constructs burrows, occasionally diverts streams into its tunnels.
identification: Very short tail, white spot just below ear. Total length: 25-45 cm; tail: 20-55 mm; mass: 500-1500 g.
links:
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Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Cascades.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Talus slopes.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Black and whitish markings on head and shoulders, nose and patch between eyes whitish. Total length: 45-80 cm; tail: 15-25 cm; mass: 4-9 kg.
links:
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Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: East of Cascades.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Open rocky areas, treeless habitat.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Yellow belly, whitish spot between eyes. Total length: 45-70 cm; tail: 13-22 cm; mass: 2-5 kg.
links:
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Olympic Marmot (Marmota olympus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Olympic mountains.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Talus slopes.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Hibernates October to May.
identification: Brownish mixed with white; very similar and closely related to hoary marmot. Total length: 45-80 cm; tail: 15-25 cm; mass: 4-9 kg.
links:
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Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Introduced, mainly in cities.
Washington Maps:
habitat: City parks and yards.
diet: Herbivore, omnivore.
identification: Gray with reddish tones, silvery-tipped hairs. Occasionally black or albino. Total length: 40-50 cm; tail: 21-24 cm; mass: 400-700 g.
links:
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Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Lower east slope of southern Cascades; southwestward from Tacoma.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Oak woodland.
diet: Herbivore, acorns.
identification: Large and slate-gray with white belly, tail large and extremely bushy. Total length: 45-60 cm; tail: 25-30 cm; mass: 350-950 g.
links:
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Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Introduced, mainly in cities.
Washington Maps:
habitat: City parks.
diet: Herbivore
identification: Largest tree squirrel, large bushy tail with yellow-tipped hairs. Three color morphs: grey, black, or reddish. Total length: 45-70 cm; tail: 20-35 cm; mass: 500-1000 g.
links:
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California Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Central Washington, near Cascades.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Open country.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Brown with whitish flecking, light wash on sides of neck across shoulders to haunches, darker "V" on back. Total length: 35-50 cm; tail: 15-25 cm; mass: 280-740 g.
links:
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Columbian Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus columbianus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Eastern Washington.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Meadows and fields, associated with forests.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Gray with yellow-orange beneath, tail bushy. Total length: 30-40 cm; tail: 8-12 cm; mass: 350-800 g.
links:
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Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Extreme northeastern and southeastern corners of the state.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Wooded and open rocky areas.
diet: Herbivore, also fungus.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Body stripes like chipmunks, but no head stripes. Head and shoulders coppery-red. Total length: 25-30 cm; tail: 6-12 cm; mass: 175-275 g.
links:
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Piute Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus mollis)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
General range: Southeast Oregon, Snake River Valley of Idaho, Nevada (except extreme south) extreme eastern central California, and western Utah.
Range in Washington: North of Yakima and west of Columbia River; disjunct from the rest of the species.
habitat: Sagebrush and grasslands.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Gray; no spots; short tail. Total length: 17-27 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 125-325 g.
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Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus saturatus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
General range: Cascades of Washington and extreme southern British Columbia.
Range in Washington: Cascades.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Wooded and open rocky areas.
diet: Herbivore, also fungus.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Body stripes like chipmunks, but no head stripes. Upper pair of dark lines faint. Head and shoulders coppery-red. Total length: 25-30 cm; tail: 6-12 cm; mass: 175-275 g.
links:
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Townsend's Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus townsendii)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
General range: Recently recognized as a species occurring only in Washington.
Range in Washington: Southeast Washington south of Yakima River and west and north of Columbia River. Current recognition of this species does not include populations north of the Yakima River, which are considered to be Spermophilis mollis.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Grassland and sagebrush.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Gray; no spots; short tail that is reddish below. Total length: 17-27 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 125-325 g.
links:
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Washington Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus washingtoni)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
General range: Southeastern Washington and small area of Oregon in Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla Counties.
Range in Washington: East of Columbia River from center of state southward.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Sagebrush and grassland.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Hiberntes.
identification: Gray; white spots; short tail with blackish tip. Total length: 18-25 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 150-280 g.
conservation: State Candidate; Federal Candidate.
links:
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Yellow-pine Chipmunk (Tamias amoenus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Olympics, Cascades and east.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Forest and brush.
diet: Seeds, flowers, fruits.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Stripes on body and head; brightly colored; underside of tail brownish-yellow. Total length: 180-245 mm; tail: 70-100 mm; mass: 30-73 g.
links:
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Least Chipmunk (Tamias minimus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Central eastern Washington.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Sagebrush.
diet: Seeds, flowers, fruits.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Stripes on body and head that continue to base of tail. Smallest, lightest chipmunk in Washington. Total length: 160-225 mm; tail: 70-115 mm; mass: 30-70 g.
links:
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Red-tailed Chipmunk (Tamias ruficaudus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Mountains of the extreme northeast.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Coniferous forests, talus slopes.
diet: Seeds, flowers, fruits.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Stripes on body and head; rump gray; tail rufous above, dark reddish below; closely related to T. amoenus . Total length: 22-25 cm; tail: 10-12 cm; mass: about 60 g.
links:
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Townsend's Chipmunk (Tamias townsendii)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Cascades and west.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Coniferous forest and brush.
diet: Seeds, flowers, fruits.
habits: Hibernates.
identification: Stripes on body and head, brownish stripe below ears. Largest, darkest chipmunk in Washington. Total length: 220-315 mm; tail: 90-150 mm; mass: 50-110 g.
links:
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Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Cascades and west.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Coniferous forest.
diet: Seeds of conifers.
habits: Territorial, hoards piles of cones, does not hibernate.
identification: Dark gray with orange-yellow beneath. Total length: 270-355 mm; tail: 100-155 mm; mass: 150-300 g.
links:
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Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: Northward from Lake Chelan, Blue Mountains.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Coniferous forest.
diet: Seeds of conifers.
habits: Territorial, hoards piles of cones, highly arboreal.
identification: Gray with some red tinge, white beneath. Total length: 270-385 mm; tail: 90-155 mm; mass: 140-250 g.
links:
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Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)Order Rodentia, Family Sciuridae
Range in Washington: All forested regions of the state.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests.
diet: Fungus, lichens.
habits: Nocturnal; glides from trees; highly arboreal; does not hibernate.
identification: Gliding skin between front and rear legs; large eyes. Total length: 25-35 cm; tail: 12-18 cm; mass: 45-70 g
links:
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Beaver (Castor canadensis)Order Rodentia, Family Castoridae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Ponds, lakes, slow streams.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Aquatic, builds dams and lodges.
identification: Largest rodent in North America, flat scaly tail. Total length: 90-115 cm; tail: 30-45 cm; mass: 20-27 kg.
links:
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Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii)Order Rodentia, Family Heteromyidae
Photo by US Fish & Wildlife@Wikimedia Commons.Washington Maps:
habitat: Sagebrush, sandy areas.
diet: Granivore.
habits: Locomotion mainly bipedal.
identification: Long hind feet and tail, large head. Striped tail, with white tail stripes narrower than dark tail stripes. Total length: 200-280 mm; tail: 100-165 mm; mass: 50-95 g.
links:
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Great Basin Pocket Mouse (Parognathus parvus)Order Rodentia, Family Heteromyidae
Photo by Jim Kenagy.Washington Maps:
habitat: Sagebrush.
diet: Granivore; accumulates seed cache for winter.
habits: Hibernates. Locomotion mainly quadrupedal.
identification: Brownish, white beneath. Long tail, slightly crested toward tip. Total length: 150-200 mm; tail: 75-105 mm; mass: 17-31 g.
links:
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Mazama Pocket Gopher (Thomomys mazama)Order Rodentia, Family Geomyidae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Most open habitats.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Digs burrows with forelimbs and teeth, forages below ground, forms soil mounds.
identification: Pointed ear with black patch behind. Short tail, heavy jaw bone, big incisors. Total length: 180-240 mm; tail: 50-80 mm; mass: 50-95 g.
links:
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Northern Pocket Gopher (Thomomys talpoides)Order Rodentia, Family Geomyidae
Photo by Kelli Wood.Washington Maps:
habitat: Most open habitats.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Digs burrows with forelimbs and teeth, forages below ground, forms soil mounds.
identification: Rounded ear with black patch behind. Short tail, heavy jaw bone, big incisors. Total length: 165-230 mm; tail: 40-75 mm; mass: 75-130 g.
links:
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Western Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps)Order Rodentia, Family Dipodidae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Meadows and thickets near streams.
diet: Granivore, herbivore.
habits: Hibernates; may drum the ground with its tail when alarmed.
identification: Golden sides; dark back; long tail; enlarged hind feet. Total length: 21-26 cm; tail: 13-16 cm; mass: 15-38 g.
links:
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Pacific Jumping Mouse (Zapus trinotatus)Order Rodentia, Family Dipodidae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Meadows in coniferous forests.
diet: Granivore, herbivore.
habits: Hibernates; may drum the ground with its tail when alarmed.
identification: Golden sides; dark back; long tail; enlarged hind feet. Total length: 21-26 cm; tail: 13-16 cm; mass: 15-38 g.
links:
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Sagebrush Vole (Lemmiscus curtatus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Sagebrush.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Pale gray above, whitish below and on feet; short tail. Total length: 10-15 cm; tail: 1.5-3 cm; mass: 17-38 g.
links:
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Gray-tailed Vole (Microtus canicaudus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
General range: Clark County, Washington and Willamette Valley of Oregon.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Grassy and agricultural lands.
diet: Herbivore
identification: Tail bicolored and short. Total length: 14-20 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 35-85 g.
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Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Wet meadows.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Tail bicolored; grayish-brown above, light gray below. Total length: 15-25 cm; tail: 5-12 cm; mass: 20-85 g.
links:
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Montane Vole (Microtus montanus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Wet meadows in forested areas.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Tail bicolored; feet dusky or silvery-gray. Total length: 14-20 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 35-85 g.
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Creeping Vole (Microtus oregoni)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Grassland or forest.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Brown above, silvery below. Total length: 12-16 cm; tail: 3-5 cm; mass: 15-30 g.
links:
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Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Moist meadows.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Gray with silver-tipped hair below. Total length: 14-20 cm; tail: 3-6 cm; mass: 20-70 g.
links:
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Water Vole (Microtus richardsoni)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Marshes, streams, and wet meadows.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Grayish to reddish above, white to silver below; long bicolored tail. Total length: 20-26 cm; tail: 7-9 cm.
links:
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Townsend's Vole (Microtus townsendii)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Marshes, streams, and wet meadows.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Dark brown above, gray below; feet dusky; large ears. Total length: 15-25 cm; tail: 5-8 cm; mass: 40-100 g.
links:
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Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Forest or meadows in mountains.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Short tail; red back. Total length: 12-16 cm; tail: 3-5 cm; mass: 16-42 g.
links:
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Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Marshes and ponds.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Aquatic.
identification: Tail slightly flattened for swimming; large compared to other members of its family. Total length: 41-62 cm; tail: 18-30 cm; mass: 540-1800 g.
links:
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Western Heather Vole (Phenacomys intermedius)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Forests or meadows in high mountains.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Grizzled brown above, silver below; white feet. Total length: 13-15 cm; tail: 2-4 cm; mass: 15-40 g.
links:
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Northern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys borealis)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Arvicolinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Alpine meadows.
diet: Herbivore.
identification: Brown above, gray below; short, bicolored tail. Total length: 12-14 cm; tail: 2-3 cm; mass: 25-35 g.
links:
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Bushy-tailed Woodrat (Neotoma cinerea)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Sigmodontinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Many habitats, often associated with rocks.
diet: Herbivore
habits: The original "Packrat"; collects objects, preferably shiny.
identification: Very large body size; bushy tail. Total length: 30-45 cm; tail: 12-25 cm; mass: 155-445 g.
links:
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Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Sigmodontinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Sandy sagebrush.
diet: Insects; strong predatory behavior.
identification: Grayish or buff above, white below; bicolored tail with white tip. Total length: 13-20 cm; tail: 3-6 cm; mass: 27-52 g.
links:
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Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Sigmodontinae
Photo by US National Park Service@Wikimedia Commons.Washington Maps:
habitat: All habitats.
diet: Granivore, omnivore.
identification: Grayish-brown above, white below. Similar to P. keeni but tail shorter. Total length: 12-21 cm; tail: 5-11 cm; mass: 10-33 g.
links:
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Keen's Mouse (Peromyscus keeni)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Sigmodontinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: All habitats.
diet: Granivore, omnivore.
identification: Grayish-brown above, white below. Similar to P. maniculatus, but tail longer. Total length: 12-22 cm; tail: 5-12 cm; mass: 10-33 g.
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Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Sigmodontinae
Washington Maps:
habitat: Grassland, marshes.
diet: Seeds, plants, insects.
identification: Ears partly furred; smaller than Peromyscus. Total length: 11-17 cm; tail: 5-10 cm; mass: 9-22 g.
links:
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House Mouse (Mus musculus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Murinae
General range: Throughout most of the world in close association with humans.
Range in Washington: Human habitations and all nearby habitats. Introduced.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Buildings, areas with good cover, cultivated fields.
diet: Opportunistic; seeds, human food, insects.
identification: Grayish-brown above, nearly the same color below. Total length: 13-20 cm; tail: 6-10 cm; mass: 18-23 g.
links:
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Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Murinae
General range: Worldwide; in warmer climates, restricted to habitats modified by humans.
Range in Washington: Urban areas; sometimes nearby habitats. Introduced.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Human dwellings, cities, cultivated fields.
diet: Omnivore.
identification: Brownish-gray above, grayish below; scaly tail. Total length: 30-45 cm; tail: 12-20 cm; mass: 195-485 g.
links:
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Black Rat (Rattus rattus)Order Rodentia, Family Muridae, Subfamily Murinae
General range: Worldwide in tropic and temperate zones.
Range in Washington: Human habitations and nearby habitats. Introduced.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Seaports and buildings.
diet: Omnivore.
identification: Brownish or grayish above, lighter below; sparsely-haired tail. Total length: 30-45 cm; tail: 16-25 cm; mass: 115-350 g.
links:
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Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)Order Rodentia, Family Erethizontidae
Range in Washington: Statewide.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Forested areas.
diet: Herbivore; twigs, leaves of trees.
identification: Quills cover body. Total length: 65-93 cm; tail: 15-30 cm; mass: 4-18 kg.
links:
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Nutria (Myocastor coypus)Order Rodentia, Family Myocastoridae
Photo by Clod79@flickr.com.
Range in Washington: Introduced along rivers and Puget Sound.
Washington Maps:
habitat: Wet areas.
diet: Herbivore.
habits: Aquatic.
identification: Large aquatic rodent; tail round and scaly. Total length: 65-140 cm; tail: 30-45 cm; mass: 2-12 kg.
links: