Coues' Rice Rat (Oryzomys couesi)
- Texas Status
- Threatened
- Description
- The Coues' Rice Rat has short, reddish-yellow fur and buff-colored underparts.
- Life History
- They build their nests in cattails and small trees near or above water. Nests are constructed of leaves, twigs, small vines, and cattail, all finely shredded and woven into a globular shape. No information is available on the reproductive biology of these rats, nor are their feeding habits known.
- Habitat
- Coues' Rice Rats prefer habitat in cattail-bulrush marshes and aquatic, grassy zones near resacas (oxbow lakes) in Hidalgo County.
- Distribution
- This species is a Mexican form that extends into Texas in the lower Rio Grande Valley in Cameron and Hidalgo counties.
- Other
- Due to continued and extensive land drainage practices for agricultural purposes in South Texas, these uncommon rodents may be threatened by significant losses of habitat.
For more information
- Refer to the online version of The Mammals of Texas for additional details on the Coues' Rice Rat.
