A RAT CUTIE?

Sigmodon hispidus is a cutie.  I’m not sure there is such a thing as a cute rat, but this would be my top contender.  Sigmodon hispidus is the hispid cotton rat.  “Sigmodon” refers to the S-shaped pattern on the cusp of the last molar.  Now, while this is a wonderfully distinct characteristic, who in the heck is opening a rat’s mouth to check this?  No one!  This is a characteristic you check on a skull.  The species name “hispidus” refers to rough/fuzzy fur.  This is probably one of the reasons why I think this species of rat is the cutest.  It also has short ears which blend into its fur.  Comparatively, their eyes are large and what big-eyed critter isn’t cute?  This rat is associated with fields, grassy ditches, and brushy fence-rows – hence the common name.