Listing
Sep 18, 1985
Sep 18, 1985 Listing
Review of Vertebrate Wildlife; Notice of Review; 50 FR 37958-37967
- Publication type: CNOR
Item 1
FWS Focus
Overview
Characteristics
Overview
The riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian woodrat, also known as the San Joaquin Valley woodrat, is a large rodent that is one of 11 subspecies of dusky-footed woodrats (N. fuscipes). Historical records suggest the riparian woodrat was distributed along the San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne rivers, as well as Corral Hollow, in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties. However, genetic studies suggest that the riparian woodrat may be a result of cross-breeding long ago between dusky footed woodrats (N. fuscipes) from the Coast Range and big-eared woodrats (N. macrotis) from the Sierra foothills. In that case, the riparian woodrat may have historically been found mostly in the general area of its current range in San Joaquin County, as this is the area that cross-breeding between these species is most likely to have happened. The riparian woodrat was listed as endangered in February 2000.
Impacts and uses and other threats include:
- Habitat loss and flooding, due to agricultural and urban development
- Wildfire
- Inbreeding depression
- Rodenticides
- Predation by feral cats and dogs
Scientific Name
Neotoma fuscipes riparia
Common Name
Riparian woodrat
San Joaquin woodrat
FWS Category
Mammals
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Characteristic category
Food
Characteristics
Food
The woodrat's diet is diverse and principally herbivorous. It eats leaves, fruits, terminal shoots of twigs, flowers, nuts and fungi.
Characteristic category
Life Cycle
Characteristics
Reproduction
Males are highly territorial and aggressive, especially during the breeding season when they will take multiple mates. Females have one to five litters per year, with three to four young in each litter. Reproduction occurs in all months, with the fewest pregnancies in December and the most in February. The young are born in stick nest houses, called lodges, which measure 2 to 3 feet high and 4 to 6 feet in diameter. Most lodges are positioned over or against logs. Unlike other subspecies, the riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian woodrat occasionally builds nests in cavities in trees and artificial wood duck nest boxes. A woodrat nest can last 20 to 30 years.
Life Span
Woodrats can live three or more years, but most don’t survive past one year.
Characteristic category
Physical Characteristics
Characteristics
Weight
Measurements
7 to 14 ounces
Color & Pattern
The riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian woodrat has gray and cinnamon fur on its body, with white fur on its underside. Their tails are well furred, not scaly like those of common non-native black rats (Rattus rattus). The riparian woodrat can be distinguished from other subspecies by having white rather than dusky hind feet. It is also larger, lighter and more grayish. Its tail is more distinctly bicolored, lighter below and darker on top.
Size & Shape
The riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian woodrat is a large rodent.
Characteristic category
Similar Species
Characteristics
Similar Species
Characteristic category
Habitat
Characteristics
Habitat
This species builds stick nest lodges near rivers and streams in riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian woodland habitats.
Geography
Characteristics
Range
Today, the riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian woodrat is only known to exist at Caswell Memorial State Park and at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, both in San Joaquin County.
Timeline
Explore the information available for this taxon's timeline. You can select an event on the timeline to view more information, or cycle through the content available in the carousel below.
13 Items