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KEY LARGO WOODRAT, Neotoma floridana smalli, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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The Key Largo Wood Rat

It has been an endangered species in Florida for nearly 20 years, but chances are you haven't heard much about the Key Largo Wood Rat. They live only in the tropical hardwood hammocks of Key Largo. Once numbering more than 3,000, scientists now estimate fewer than 200 are still alive. Dawn Jennings coordinates the Wood Rat's recovery program...

Defending an Endangered Rat

Dawn Jennings is the scientist charged with recovery of the endangered Key Largo Wood Rat--fewer than 200 remain in the tropical hardwood hammocks of Key Largo. And she says the inevitable question: Why protect a rat? is the wrong place to start...

When Wood Rats Go to Work

As scientists develop a plan to restore the population of the endangered Key Largo Wood Rat, they say the reduction in number from several thousand down to fewer than 200, is cause for concern. Not only for what that reduction might signal about the environment, but also for some ecosystem functions the wood rats normally provide...

Breeding an Endangered Rat

The declining population of the Key Largo Wood Rat is set to get a little boost with a captive breeding effort about to get underway. The rat's numbers have declined from several thousand to fewer than 200. US Fish and Wildlife Service recovery coordinator Dawn Jennings.

What's behind the Wood Rat loss?

Scientists aren't sure what's caused the population crash of the endangered Key Largo Wood rat. Fewer than 200 of the species remain on land protected on Key Largo. Scientist Dawn Jennings says there are several working theories...