Rats Traditional Cache
Hidden : 10/14/2012
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


There are 3 species of rats native to Kentucky none of which are listed as found in Bernheim Forest.  That does not mean they couldn’t exist in some parts of the forest.  This would be especially true of the packrat which has been spotted in nearby counties.  The other two species found in Kentucky are Hispid Cotton Rat and Marsh Rice Rat. Rats historically have a bad reputation for infestations that are associated with dirty conditions, and for carrying diseases which is true but mostly attributed to the European Rats that came over on ships during America’s earlier days.  Wild native rats in Kentucky are seldom seen since they are nocturnal and have limited exposure to humans, preferring habitats in the woods or grassy plain areas.
The Hispid Cotton Rat is found in South Western part of Kentucky.  They prefer semi moist grassy lands with some shrub protection.  They are omnivores but the majority of their diet is green vegetation. The average Cotton Rat has a body 6 inch body length.  They are nocturnal and are excellent swimmers.  They can have several litters each year with 2 to 15 offspring.  In the wild the average life span of the cotton rat is 6 months.


Hispid Cotton Rat


Marsh Rice Rat

 The Marsh Rice Rat is a water loving rodent found in wetland areas of Kentucky.  Of course they are excellent swimmers.  When they swim air is trapped in their fur which increases buoyancy and acts to protect them from cold water.  
The average Marsh Rice Rat body is 5 ½ inches long with a 5 inch tail. 

The Marsh Rice Rat is an Omnivore but tends to be more carnivorous than the other wild rat species. In the wild the March Rice Rat average life expectancy is less than one year.
Packrat (aka Woodrat) - The Allegheny Woodrat is the species that calls Kentucky home.  They are found mostly in areas that have rock outcroppings, cliffs, caves, rock shelters, or mines.  
They have an average body length of 8 inches with a 7 inch tail.  They have soft brownish gray hair and unlike European Rats have hair on their tails. 
Allegheny Woodrats have fewer offspring than other varieties of rats.  


Allegheny Woodrat

They may have two to three litters per year consisting of one to four young. They typically live an average of 3 years in the wild but some have been known to reach 5 years of age. 
Packrats are nest builders best known for collecting unusual and shiny objects to line their nest with while on their nightly excursions.  My firsthand experience crossing paths with packrats while caving is they are docile but curious creatures.  The Woodrat’s primary food source is tree leaves, stems, fruits and nuts.  Unfortunately Allegheny Woodrats are in a state of decline and have become an endangered species in most of the Appalachian Mountain states.

Although rats are not common to Bernheim that can’t be said about its close cousin the mouse.  The biggest difference between the two being size.

There are 5 species of mice found in Bernheim forest
1. Woodland Jumping Mouse
2. Meadow Jumping Mouse
3. Golden Mouse
4. Cotton Mouse
5. White-Footed Mouse

Bernheim also is home to 3 varieties of Voles, but that’s another story and another cache.
You are looking for a large PB container.
This cache placement has been approved by Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest.  
For more information about Bernheim Arboretum And Research Forest  including current operating hours. There is a $10 per car recommended admission donation for non-members to Bernheim Forest.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Fghzc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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