The Hispid Cotton Rat is a robust, coarse-furred rat of the southern United States and Mexico that thrives in dense grassy habitats. It has extremely high reproductive potential and populations can explode rapidly when food is plentiful, becoming a significant agricultural pest. Cotton rats are important prey for many raptors, especially the Northern Harrier.
Best time to see a Hispid Cotton Rat
The best time to see a Hispid Cotton Rat is January–June, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 5,574 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Hispid Cotton Rat sightings near you
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