Trader is a Wood Rat, which is often referred to as a Pack Rat. Why is that? Read until the very end and you’ll also find a video link to watch to figure out what cool characteristics Wood Rats have! Check out the information below to find out more:

Here are some answers, but there is even more to discover about each question so don’t let your discussion stop with these answers! There is even more to learn about the Wood Rat!

Here’s a few more facts about them:

Here is the video on Youtube about Wood Rats. One reason why I love this video is that it shows the importance of Natural History. We hear from a Naturalist who works with a live Wood Rat named Clover and the Museum Director who speaks about the information gleaned from Wood Rats through research from paleontologists and archaeologists.
Sternberg Museum of Natural History: Fun Facts about Wood Rats

Until next time, keep investigating animals! <3 Kate

Find The Burgess Animal Writing & Coloring Pages here.

Works Consulted:

Burgess, Thornton W. “A Trader and a Handsome Fellow.” The Burgess Animal Book for Children, Dover Publications, 2004, p. 92-94.

“Fun Facts about Wood Rats.” A New Way to Museum, Sternberg Museum of Natural History, 12 May 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n-TainKmMc.