This sp ecies has overcome the difficulties in dealing with cacti. The specific diet varies with the species and the availability of different kinds of plants, but all Neotoma seem to show a preference for foliage rather than stems, fruits, or flowers. A high proportion, half or more, of the diet of albigula is comprised of cacti. Seemingly, the water nee ds of the rats are met by consuming this succulent plant, and captive animals, provided with succulent vegetatio n, rarely drink. Sometimes, the continued use of a yucca by the animals results in a pruned runway up the tru nk into the foliage.
Females are seasonally polyestrus.
The mother enters estru s immediately after bearing a litter, and may thus produce two or more litters per season. Like many other cric etids, baby pack rats tend to spend much of their time tightly affixed to the mother's nipples, and they may be dragged from the nest in this fashion if the mother is forced to flee. The young are weaned at four to six week s, but they may remain with the mother for some time, and may even attempt to nurse after the next litter has ar rived. Full adult size is not attained until about the eight month. Home range probably under 100 ft.