Elusive Allegheny Woodrat caught on Trail Cam

Article owned and originally published by WDTV 5 News on Apr. 11, 2024.

Original Article

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - This Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service released a video as part of their “Trail Cam Tuesday” of a nearly endangered rat seen for the first time in a long time.

“What’s about 17 inches long, federally threatened and downright adorable? The Allegheny woodrat!” The U.S. Forest Service said in a Facebook post. “We were thrilled to get footage of this elusive creature, which dwells primarily in hardwood forests with plenty of rocks and boulders”.

The Allegheny Woodrat has seen some population declines in recent years; and many scientists blame the ‘Gypsy Moth’, which harms acorn-bearing trees, limiting food sources for the large rodent.

The National Park Service reported in 2022 that the Woodrat was rediscovered in the forests of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park after not being seen for 20 years.

The NPS also reported that the Allegheny Woodrat is an ‘indicator species’ for the condition of a park’s surface and cave ecosystems because they respond to changes in resource conditions.

The U.S. Forest Service invites wildlife enthusiasts to join them each week as they share trail camera clips captured as part of a joint venture between Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area AmeriCorps & Seneca Rocks Discovery Center.

Remember, view wildlife from a distance, respect their space and keep wildlife wild.

Find a list of wildlife viewing areas here.