Stephen's Woodrat is a specialist of juniper woodlands in the Colorado Plateau region, almost entirely dependent on one-seed juniper as its primary food. It has detoxification pathways specialized for the toxic phenolic compounds found in juniper that would harm most other herbivores. The woodrat builds stick houses in or beneath juniper trees and rarely ventures far from its host plant.
Habitat
One-seed juniper woodlands of the Colorado Plateau
Diet
Juniper leaves, berries, and seeds
How common
Uncommon
Recent Stephen's Woodrat sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Stephen's Woodrat? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free