wood rat
/ˈwʊdˌræt/
noun
- A rodent of the genus Neotoma, found in North America, known for building large nests of sticks and debris.
- A wood-rat built a messy nest of twigs and leaves behind the shed.
- Hikers in the desert sometimes spot a wood-rat scurrying among the rocks.
- The wood-rat is also called a pack rat because it collects shiny objects.