Sigmodon
| Genus Sigmodon | |
|---|---|
| Taxonomic classification | |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
| Infraorder: | Myomorphi |
| Superfamily: | Muroidea |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Sigmodontinae |
| Tribe: | Sigmodontini |
Sigmodon is a genus of cotton rats in the family Cricetidae. There are 14 recognized species in the genus. Four species can be found in the United States.
Cotton rats are recognized by their stout body, coarse and grizzled pelage, and somewhat short ears. The name Sigmodon refers to the more or less "S" shape formed by the cusps on the molars, especially those of the third molar.
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Upper molars of the Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus), representing members of the genus Sigmodon. The name Sigmodon refers to the more or less "S" shape formed by the cusps on the molars, especially those of the third molar.
Species in the United States
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Arizona Cotton Rat (Sigmodon arizonae) photographed by Gordon Karre in Gilbert, Arizona. Sigmodon hispidus and Sigmodon arizonae look superficially similar but their ranges are mostly non-overlapping. -
Tawny-bellied Cotton Rat (Sigmodon fulviventer) observed by Ricardo Arredondo T. in Coeneo, Michoacán, México. Sigmodon fulviventer has underparts that are distinctly brownish, buffy, or fulvous, extending from throat to anus. -
Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) observed by Bob Oswald in Gainesville, Florida. Sigmodon hispidus and Sigmodon arizonae look superficially similar but their ranges are mostly non-overlapping. -
Yellow-nosed Cotton Rat (Sigmodon ochrognathus) observed by Randy Babb. Sigmodon ochrognathus has a conspicuous "yellow" nose.
Range maps for species in the United States
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Arizona Cotton Rat (Sigmodon arizonae) -
Tawny-bellied Cotton Rat (Sigmodon fulviventer) -
Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) -
Yellow-nosed Cotton Rat (Sigmodon ochrognathus)
Available taxon pages
The following subgenera are available on WhiskerWiki for this genus:
- Subgenus: No information