RICE RAT

(genus Oryzomys), any of numerous species of mouselike rodents, belonging to the family Cricetidae (order Rodentia), found from the United States through South America. Rice rats are harsh-furred rodents, yellowish to grayish brown above, and white below, and are up to 20 cm (8 inches) long excluding the long, sparsely haired tail. They live primarily in marshy coastal areas, building nests of woven grass or, if the ground is dry, digging burrows. Their food consists of grasses, seeds, and fruit. Rice rats may damage crops but in general are not particularly destructive. The number of distinct species ranges from about 60 to 130, depending on the authority.