Barn Owl Research

Rodents of the Everglades Agricultural Area

Rodents

• Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus)
• House Mouse (Mus musculus)
• Rice Rat (Oryzomys palustris)
• Roof Rat (Rattus rattus)
• Round-Tailed Muskrat (Neofiber alleni)

Other Small Mammals

• Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
• Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)
• Southern Short-Tailed Shrew (Blarina carolinensis)

Rodents

Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus)

Head & Body: 5-8 in (127-203 mm)

Tail: 3-6 in (81-152 mm)

Weight: 4-7 oz (113-198 g)

Reproduction
2-12/litter; up to 9 litters/yr; gestation about 27 days; leave nest at 4-7 days; age of reproduction: 40 days

Habits
Feeds primarily on green vegetation. Nests on surface or in burrows. Makes surface runways through vegetation.

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House Mouse (Mus musculus)

Head & Body: 3-4 in (81-86 mm)

Tail: 2-3 in (71-81 mm)

Weight: 2/5-4/5 oz (11-22 g)

Reproduction
3-11/litter; several litters/yr; gestation 18-21 days; age of reproduction: 6 weeks; breeds year round

Habits
Occasionally found if fields, but usually in or near buildings. Eats anything edible. Not native to U.S.

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Rice Rat (Oryzomys palustris)

Head & body: 4-5 in (121-132 mm)

Tail: 4-7 in (110-183 mm)

Weight: 1-3 oz (40-80 g)

Reproduction
1-7/litter; several litters/yr; gestation about 25 days; age of reproduction: 50 days; breeds year round

Habits
Found in wet parts of grassy fields. Feeds on green vegetation and seeds. Makes surface runways. Nests above ground.

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Roof Rat (Rattus rattus)

Head & body: 7-8 in (178-203 mm)

Tail: 8-10 in (214-253 mm)

Weight: 5-10 oz (142-283 g)

Reproduction
4-10/litter; up to 12 litters/yr; gestation 21-22 days; age of reproduction: 3 months

Habits
Found near buildings and in fields. Feeds on vegetation and grains. Nests on surface or in burrows. Not native to U.S.

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Round-Tailed Muskrat (Neofiber alleni)

Head & body: 7-8 in (20-22 cm)

Tail: 4-6 in (11-17 cm)

Weight: 5-11 oz (156-330 g)

Reproduction
1-3/litter; probably breeds year round

Habits
Found in bogs, marshes, weedy boards of lakes and wet fields. Feeds on water plants and crayfish.

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Other Small Mammals

Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)

Head & body: 14-17 in (35-43 cm)

Tail: 2-3 in (64-76 mm)

Weight: 2-4 lb (1.1-1.8 kg)

Reproduction
3-4/litter; breeds March-September; gestation 26-30 days

Habits
Found in brush, weedy patches and field edges. Feeds on vegetation. Fur grayish or brownish. Cottony-white tail.

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Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)

Head & body: 14-16 in (35-41 cm)

Tail: 2-3 in (64-76 mm)

Weight: 2-3 lb (1.1-1.6 kg)

Reproduction
2-5/litter; breeds February-September

Habits
Found in marshes and other wet areas. Feeds on vegetation. Fur is reddish-brown. Feet relatively small. Tail inconspicuous.

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Southern Short-Tailed Shrew (Blarina carolinensis)

Head & body: 3-4 in (76-102 mm)

Tail: 3/4-1 in (19-30 mm)

Weight: 2/5-4/5 oz (11-22 g)

Reproduction
2-6/litter; 2-3 litters/yr; gestation 21-30 days; breeds February-November

Habits
Found in wooded and brushy areas. Lives in underground burrows. Feeds on insects, worms, and other invertebrates. Saliva is poisonous.

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