Wood rat

Wood rat, or pack rat, any of 22 rat species belonging to the Cricetidae family and found in the mountains and deserts of North and Central America. It resembles the house rat but has softer fur, longer ears, and a furry tail. Its name derives from its habit of picking up small articles of interest and carrying them back to its den. Also known as trade rat, it will typically drop one object in favor of a more attractive one.