The White-eared Cotton Rat is a high-altitude cotton rat of the Mexican highland plateau, living in grasslands and bunch-grass meadows above 2,000 meters. It is distinguished by its relatively pale, white-tipped ear pinnae. Like other cotton rats, it creates runways through dense grass and is an important prey species for raptors and carnivores in highland Mexico.
Habitat
Highland grasslands and meadows of the Mexican plateau
Diet
Grasses, sedges, forbs, and insects
How common
Uncommon
Not certain it is a White-eared Cotton Rat? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent White-eared Cotton Rat sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a White-eared Cotton Rat?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.
5,300+species
63national parks
50states
More mammals
White-eared Opossum
Didelphis albiventris
White-footed Mouse
Peromyscus leucopus
White-lipped Peccary
Tayassu pecari
White-nosed Coati
Nasua narica
White-sided Jackrabbit
Lepus callotis
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel
Ammospermophilus leucurus
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
White-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus townsendii