Neotoma nelsoni
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Nelson's woodrat faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in western Mexico. The species is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, as rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns threaten the oak-pine woodland ecosystems it depends upon. Introduced predators and competitors have further reduced population viability in remaining habitat fragments.
Habitat
Nelson's woodrat inhabits oak-pine woodlands and mixed coniferous forests in mountainous regions of western Mexico, typically at elevations between 1,500-2,500 meters. The species requires dense understory vegetation and rocky outcrops for nesting sites and protection from predators.