Microhabitat and House Use by Dusky-Footed Woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) in Northwestern California: Insight from Trapping Data

Abstract

Abstract. Capture data differed at woodrat houses associated with selected microhabitats in a chaparral-oak woodland site in the foothills of northwestern California. Mean trapping success was significantly higher at houses located under dense tree canopy (and in low scrub cover) compared with houses in high scrub cover (and under less tree canopy), as was trapping success at houses found in non-edge versus edge habitat. Woodrats trapped at houses under dense canopy also were significantly heavier than those captured in high scrub cover; however, mean body masses at edge- and non-edge houses were similar. Broadly, our results mirror existing research but indicate the need for more study of the specific microhabitat factors that influence woodrat house use in chaparral-oak habitat.