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| Distribution |
In NC, it is scattered over the Coastal Plain, barely west into the eastern edge of the Piedmont (Wake and Harnett counties). However, it is primarily found in coastal and Tidewater counties, inland mainly just to Gates, Beaufort, and Bladen counties.
The southeastern quarter of the country, north to about NJ, and west to eastern TX, primarily on the Coastal Plain, at least in the Atlantic states. |
| Abundance |
Can be locally very common to abundant in coastal marshes; seemingly quite local, and much less numerous (mostly rare to uncommon) farther inland to the eastern edge of the Piedmont. Perhaps has declined over the inner portion of the range, as there are very few recent reports away from tidal marshes. The only two photo records on the iNaturalist website are from coastal counties. The State Rank of S5 is now seemingly too "liberal", and a less numerous rank of S4 seems more appropriate now. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Active all year. |
| Habitat |
Strictly in wetlands, and these are almost always in open areas; marshes are the primary habitat. Most common in brackish marshes, less so in salt marshes. Also found in very wet fields and other sunny wetlands.
See also Habitat Account for Coastal Freshwater and Low-Salinity Marshes |
| Behavior |
Essentially nocturnal. Because its marshy habitat is less widespread away from coastal and tidewater areas, the species is probably quite local farther inland. |
| Comments |
This species' range inward from the tidal marshes is not well known, though it is assumed to occur essentially throughout the Coastal Plain, as there are scattered records west to Wake County (in the eastern Piedmont), where it is presumed that more biologists have been active. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S5 [S4] |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G5 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
Oryzomys palustris palustris |
| other_comName |
Rice Rat |
| synonym |
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