Box rats build complex nests of sprig, known as "middens", typically incorporating cactus. Nests come typically built around microscopic caves, but often as well in the attics & bulwarks of houses. Occasionally Neotoma coinage, like a White-throated Woodrat (N. albigula), have the base of a prickly pear or cholla cactus as a places for their page, using a cactus' spines for protection from either predators. Others, rather a Desert Woodrat (N. lepida) might appropriate a tunnel of ground squirrels or kangaroo rats & fortify a entrance using sticks and bits of spinous cactus stems fallen from either Jumping and Teddy-bear Chollas.

Around houses, box rats move nocturnally, shopping for food & nest poop. The peculiar characteristic is that whenever it locate something it need, it might drop what it is presently carrying, for instance the piece of cactus, & "trade" it for the recently item. It is particularly fond of glazed objects, leading to tales of rats swapping jewelry for a stone.

Historically, houses within or even touching ghost towns such as Crestone, Colorado were typically infested sustaining few rats. In the times prior to television, this provided the measure of amusement to the sensation-starved residents.

A bit of mintage of few rats were known as "prairie flounders" by settlers. This may keep close at hand occurred because a eyes of case rats come placed somewhat higher upstairs than more rodents.

A term box rat is likewise utilized inside English as slang to refer to a human world health organization collects miscellaneous items & has pain inducing obviate the babies.

Species
Neotoma Subgenus (Neotoma) Neotoma albigula - White-throated Woodrat Neotoma angustapalata - Tamaulipan Woodrat Neotoma anthonyi - Anthony's Woodrat Neotoma bryanti - Bryant's Woodrat Neotoma bunkeri - Bunker's Woodrat Neotoma chrysomelas - Nicaraguan Woodrat Neotoma devia - Arizona Woodrat Neotoma floridana - Eastern Woodrat Neotoma goldmani - Goldman's Woodrat Neotoma lepida - Desert Woodrat Neotoma magister - Allegheny Woodrat Neotoma martinensis - San Martin Island Woodrat Neotoma mexicana - Mexican Woodrat Neotoma micropus - Southern Plains Woodrat Neotoma nelsoni - Nelson's Woodrat Neotoma palatina - Bolaos Woodrat Neotoma stephensi - Stephens's Woodrat Neotoma varia - Turner Island Woodrat Subgenus (Teanopus) Neotoma phenax - Sonoran Woodrat Subgenus (Teonoma) Neotoma cinerea - Bushy-tailed Woodrat Neotoma fuscipes - Dusky-footed Woodrat