Rodents Native to the US

To some, the word "rodent" conjures up images of large, mean rats with scaly tails. Most rodents, however, pose no threat to humans and prefer to keep their distance. Rodents play an important part in their environmental structure. Rodents that are native to North America were not introduced to the environment, but instead evolved naturally according to their habitat.

  1. American Beaver

    • Beavers are nocturnal and typically leave their dens around dusk.

      The American beaver is the largest native rodent in America. These flat-tailed rodents can be found in all areas of the US except southern Florida and parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. Beavers reside in marshes and wetlands, and build dams from trees they saw down with their large front teeth. Once heavily hunted for their pelts, today beavers populations are thriving.

    North American Porcupine

    • Porcupines are excellent tree climbers.

      If you are in the American wilderness and you see a large, waddling pincushion, you have likely encountered a North American Porcupine. These hefty rodents are covered in long, barbed spikes which they use to ward off predators. They feed on bark, pine needles, grass, nuts, flowers and occasionally crops. Porcupines are native throughout the western half of the U.S. and select areas east of the Rocky Mountains.

    Western Gray Squirrel

    • Squirrels produce one litter of young per year.

      The Western gray squirrel thrives along the Cascade mountains and throughout the western states. This squirrel can be Identified by its silver-brown coat and long, bushy tail. It feeds primarily on acorns, pine cones and bark, and displays scatter-hoarding behavior by burying acorns in the autumn to eat in the winter. These rodents fare well in urban areas, despite their timid nature.

    Eastern Chipmunk

    • Chipmunks defend their burrows fiercely.

      Like the Gray squirrel, the Eastern chipmunk thrives in both forests and cities. They dig complex tunnels and underground passageways with multiple access points to protect themselves against predation. They eat mainly nuts and seeds, and hibernate throughout the winter. These small rodents lead relatively short lives, typically around a year long. Their habitat extends across the entire eastern U.S., except for areas in the Deep South.