Mammals of North Carolina:
their Distribution and Abundance
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Hispid Cotton Rat - Sigmodon hispidus
Cricetidae Members:
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Photo by: John Lynch
Distribution In NC, it occurs statewide, at least up to the lower elevations in the mountains. Scarce above about 3,000 feet.

Found over most of the southern parts of the United States, west to southeastern CA, but north only to about northern VA. This range is probably spreading northward.
Abundance Abundant and widespread across the Coastal Plain and most of the Piedmont. Generally common in the lower mountains, and perhaps the Piedmont foothills. Scarce at middle elevations, and presumably absent from over 4,000 feet. Perhaps has increased in the mountains in recent decades and might be spreading somewhat into middle elevations now. Note that the iNaturalist website contains photos for several dozen counties across the state, and the editors have not taken the time to update the map with "Photo" records/documentation unless the county had previously no known records (white on the map).
Seasonal Occurrence Active year-round.
Habitat Dense herbaceous cover, where not overly wet. Weedy fields, pastures, brushy thickets, wooded edges, very open woods, and other places with a thick grassy cover are the typical habitats. It seldom occurs in the marshy habitats where the Marsh Rice Rat is found.
See also Habitat Account for General Successional and Semi-Natural Grasslands
Behavior Mainly active at night and at twilight, but unlike many small rodents, it is also fairly active by day. They can often be seen scurrying quickly across a road or wide trail in broad daylight.
Comments This species has increased considerably in range and abundance in NC in the past 50 years. It is certainly one of the most numerous mammals in the state, in all regions; it is the most often seen native mouse or rat species in the state, owing to its rather large size and frequency of crossing trails and roads in daylight hours.
Origin Native
NC List Official
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
subspecies Sigmodon hispidus komareki, Sigmodon hispidus virginianus

Sigmodon h. komareki occurs over most of the state, whereas S. h. virginianus is limited to the northern Coastal Plain.
other_comName Cotton Rat
synonym
NC Map
Map depicts all counties with a report (transient or resident) for the species.
Click on county for list of all database records for species in that county.