DISTRIBUTION
In California, throughtout most of the state west of the Sierra Nevada. Inhabits hardwood forests and brushlands. Lives mostly near live oaks.

HABITS
Mainly nocturnal but occasionally active in the daytime. Wood rats raise two or three litters of two or three young each year. They breed through the year, except late autumn and early winter. They are inquisitive and have earned the name “pack rat” or “trade rats” because of their collecting habit. They take anything that is bright, but especially are attracted to small metal objects such as coins. Often they “exchange” sticks or bits of debris for the object removed. When disturbed, sometimes drums or thumps with the hind feet or tail.