A large rat, reddish-gray with heavy black linings on the back; color
variations are considerable and may even grade into yellowish-gray.
Bushy, gray tail; large ears and beady eyes. Total length up to 17
inches. Formerly known as a wood rat.
[Illustration: Least Chipmunk]
This notorious mountain rat is widely distributed over the state from
4,600 feet up to the tops of the highest peaks. Often frequenting
buildings and cabins in the mountains, the pack rat has also been
labeled a trade rat. These names are derived from the animal's habit of
carrying off any loose article it may find and sometimes leaving other
objects in the place of those taken. While these rats do possess a
distinct musky odor, they, like many of the other rodents, have unduly
suffered in character by comparison with the universally disliked house
rat. A rodent ordinarily found in rocky places, they are much cleaner in
appearance and habits than their dirty, disease-laden relatives of the
city. They build a large, globular nest of soft, shredded materials and
are most active in the first few hours of the night, and again before
dawn. Usually they are very furtive.