The Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) is an extremely cute rodent with a unpleasant sounding name.
The cotton rat is mostly a herbivore and is often seen munching on a stalk of grass as though it were a corn cob. The cotton rat has large eyes with small fur-covered ears and is quite attractive.
(Click or tap images below to see larger version)
For me the best way to get a good photo of these cute critters is to find a spot where you see cotton rats feeding and sit down and wait for them to get used to your presence. I was sitting in a folding camp chair when I took the photographs above.
If you move your head and camera very slowly you should be able to get a good photo, especially if you have a telephoto lens. This technique also works for birds and butterflies.
This next photo of a very tame cotton rat was taken early one morning while I was walking around Lighthouse Pool.
My wife and I are very happy to see the cotton rats back around the lighthouse. When hurricane Hermine made landfall at St. Marks in 2016 the storm surge killed many the cotton rats around the lighthouse and it was months before they made a comeback.
There are a lot of great things to see at the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge where even the rats are beautiful!
Jim