Natural History of the Desert Woodrat, Neotoma lepida

A natural history study of the desert woodrat, Neotoma lepida lepida Thomas, was conducted from August, 1959, to June, 1960, near Jerico, Juab Co., Utah. Charted quadrats and a plotless quarter method revealed an average of 4.9 houses or 1.8 adult woodrats per acre in areas of few junipers to 8.5 houses or 3.1 adult woodrats per acre in a juniper-sagebrush community typical of the area. Spherical, conical, or oblong houses, depending on building location, appeared to be randomly dispersed. House details are described. An estimated 37% of the houses were occupied, each usually inhabited by one adult. Oval, circular, or gourd-shaped nests consisted mainly of shredded juniper bark. Food caches contained primarily juniper leaves and berries. Males were more active than females. Strict confinement to one house was not evident. Young woodrats were often found occupying previously unoccupied houses. Some young were parasitized by Cuterebra larvae.