The Painted Woodrat is endemic to a very specific corner of southern Mexico, in the mountains of Guerrero and Oaxaca. It owes its common name to the contrast in its fur, which has more defined facial markings than other Neotoma species. It is one of the least known species in the genus: there are hardly any field studies on its biology, and much of what has been published is limited to
Brown fur with contrasting facial markings around the eyes and muzzle, more defined than in most of its relatives, and a pale belly. The Painted Woodrat is confused with other sympatric woodrats from south-central Mexico. It can only be identified with certainty by cranial or genetic examination, as there is little information on its diagnostic external features.
Like other members of its genus, it would build mounds of branches and plant debris in rock crevices or at the base of shrubs, although no detailed descriptions of its shelters in the wild have been published. Compared to related species of similar size, its tracks would have four fore toes and five hind toes, 1.3 to 1.8 cm long, without the deep claw mark of a dog.
Tropical deciduous forest and rocky mountain areas in east-central Guerrero and western Oaxaca, in southern Mexico.
Herbivorous, like other members of its genus: it feeds on leaves, seeds and fruits from tropical deciduous forest, although no specific studies on its diet have been published.
Solitary and nocturnal, like other Neotoma species; no published data exist on its reproduction or territoriality.
It is not evaluated on the IUCN Red List. Due to its restricted range and the almost complete lack of field studies, it is unknown if its population is stable, although no immediate threats have been reported.
Loss of tropical deciduous forest due to logging and land-use change in its restricted range in Guerrero and Oaxaca.
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