12 | SUNRAYS SEPTEMBER 2014
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SCTXCA.ORG
CA NEWS
With the first mowing of the
common areas, residents
may encounter the hispid
cotton rat. It is seen more
often around homes after the
mowing of common areas,
which disrupts or destroys
their habitat. It is often
mistaken for the non-native
Norway (brown) rat.
Description
The cotton rat is a moderately large, robust rodent with a scaly,
sparsely haired tail. Distinguishing characteristics are the
rough, grizzled appearance of blackish, burnish, or grayish
back fur, grayish-white or buff underparts, and rather stiff,
black guard hairs. The total length averages 10 inches includ-
ing the tail length of four inches. Cotton rats have relatively
large eyes and ears almost hidden in the fur. This rodent also
has a high “Roman” nose.
Habitat
Cotton rats prefer dense cover such as grassy fields, overgrown
Cotton Rats
Submitted by the Wildlife Management Committee
roadsides or fencerow vegetation adjacent to cultivated fields.
They also occupy meadows, marshy areas, cactus patches,
and weedy ditches or pond banks. Under the protective cover,
the cotton rat will have well-defined runways radiating in all
directions from the nest site.
Cotton rats are normally herbivores, eating the roots, stems,
leaves and seeds of a wide variety of plants. They also feed
on fruits, berries and nuts. They also eat insects, the eggs
and young of ground-nesting birds and the carcasses of dead
animals.
Behavior and Reproduction
Cotton rats are basically nocturnal but will venture out in
the daytime and are active year-round. They do not store food
or hibernate. They are very good swimmers.
The species is very prolific and will breed throughout the year.
Several litters may be produced annually, averaging 2-15
young per litter. The gestation period is 27 days and the young
are weaned in 10-15 days. Most young breed for the first time
at 2 to 3 months of age. Several generations may live in the
same nest at one time. The average life span is six months.
The Wildlife Management Committee will conduct the 2014
Sun City deer census on September 15, 16 and 17, with Sep-
tember 18 and 19 scheduled as make-up days in the case of
inclement weather. A brief orientation will be held at 6 p.m.
on Monday, September 15 in the Activities Center Atrium fol-
lowed by the first night of counting. Counting will commence
at 6:45 p.m. each night.
How to Volunteer
Volunteer sign-up sheets will be available Friday, September
5 through Tuesday, September 9 at the Monitor’s Desk in the
lobby of the Social Center, as well as on the Wildlife Manage-
ment web site.
• Go to
• Log in with your Member ID and password
• Click on Site Index
• Click on Wildlife Management Committee
Please legibly PRINT your name, email address and phone
number. Additional information requested will include whether
or not you are a golfer, whether you will provide and drive a
golf cart or be a counter and if you are willing to walk a trail.
Newcomers are very welcome and encouraged to participate.
We will need 65-75 volunteers this year, since an additional
route has been added for recently completed neighborhoods.
Volunteers Needed for Annual Deer Census
Submitted by the Wildlife Management Committee
Twelve golfers with six golf carts are needed for the golf course
routes, 25-30 counters with 15 golf carts are needed for the
neighborhood routes. In addition, 12 walkers are needed for
the 16 trail routes.
All route assignments will be determined by random drawing,
with priority given to those applications turned in earliest.
Preference will also be given to those volunteers available to
work all three nights. Volunteers will be notified by email and
asked to verify their availability. Spouses and friends will not
be paired together.
The CA will provide ice cream each night after the count. The
Wildlife Management Committee wants to thank the many
volunteers from previous years and we look forward to seeing
you all again this year.
