It is a Mexican Pacific coastal field rat that lives in dense pastures and coastal meadows, where it excavates a network of surface paths under the vegetation that it uses both to move as well as to escape rapidly from predators. Like the rest of the cotton rat of its kind, it has a remarkably high reproductive capacity for a rodent of its size, with layers frequent throughout the year in the areas where the climate allows it. Its name pays tribute to an American naturalist who documented much of the small mammal fauna of western Mexico at the end of the 19th century.
A medium-sized rodent, robust body, gray brown fur mixed with longer black hairs that give it a vetated appearance, and moderately long tail with scarce fur. It differs from other cotton rats in the region by coloring details and skulls; its presence is delated more easily by its surface paths in dense pasture than by direct observation of the animal.
Fingerprint with 4 front fingers and 5 rear fingers, 2-2.5 cm rear. Round and lengthy feces, 8-10 mm, left scattered by surface paths between the dense vegetation of pasture. Excavate a network of tunnels and paths flat under the dense grass, 4-5 cm wide, visible as passages between the vegetation when separating it, with small madrigueras of hidden entry between the roots.
Density and coastal grassland, from lowlands to transition zones to low mountain grassland.
Herbivorous, he feeds on grass, tender stems and seeds from the pasture and coastal meadow where he lives.
From terrestrial habits, it excavates a network of surface paths under dense vegetation.It has a high reproductive capacity, with frequent layers throughout the year in the most favorable climate zones, a typical feature of the cotton rats of its genre.
Its populations are considered to be declining, with an estimated reduction of around 30% in the last decade due to the transformation of the coastal pasture and mattress it depends on.
Conversion of native coastal pasture and grassland to land for crop and pastures on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
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