The Habitat of Cotton Rats

The cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) resides across the warmer regions of the southern United States and as far west as New Mexico. It also flourishes throughout Mexico, Central America, Venezuala and Columbia. In some regions, the cotton rat is also commonly called the javelina rat because of its arching Roman-shaped nose. For the last 50 years, the rodent has contributed extensively to biomedical research as a specimen for the study of polio, respiratory infections, typhus and genetic therapy, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

  1. Habitat

    • Areas of dense grass appeal to the cotton rat. The abundant grassy areas offer the rat an adequate-food source and protection from predators. Cotton rats usually take up residence in grassy fields, vegetable gardens, alongside roadways and in lush meadows. Beneath the cover of the grass, the rats develop diverse roadways. They also make their nests in shallow depressions beneath the cover of the tall grass. The female will also sometimes utilize underground burrows for a nest. The cotton rat rarely resides near structures or human activity.

    Detection

    • The cotton rat usually measures about 10 inches in length. Landowners can detect and identify cotton rats residing in fields by walking through the field and looking for runways. The rat's runways usually measure about 3 to 5 inches in length and crisscross the grassy landscape. Within the runways, the rats will usually leave behind an abundance of pale greenish or yellow droppings. They will also leave behind piles of clipped grass that measure 2 to 3 inches in length. Approximately 11 to 149 rats will occur per acre, according to the Internet Center For Wildlife Damage Management.

    Feeding Habits

    • The cotton rat enjoys consuming the roots of various plants and grass species. They will also occasionally eat a vole, insects, small bird or bird eggs. The rats enjoy berries, nuts, fruit and insects. An opportunistic feeder, the cotton rat, will also feed on a dead carcass. The cotton rat is active year round but will usually only venture out to forage during darkness. Along its runways, the cotton rat will often pile food up for feeding stations.

    Territory and Reproduction

    • The cotton rat does have an aggressive nature towards other rat species. It exhibits a territorial aggression and does not tolerate the presence of other rats. The female cotton rat will give birth approximately five times per year. Each litter will contain two to 10 babies. Within 15 days of birth, the young rats have weaned. The rat reaches sexual maturity at 40 days of age. Several generations of rats often share one nesting site, according to the Oregon State University.