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News Release 09-062
Desert Woodrats Switch One Dietary Poison for Another
Climate change drives shift from toxic juniper trees to creosote bushes
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A woodrat in Utah's Great Basin is surrounded by toxic juniper leaves, which is much of its diet.
Credit: Denise Dearing, University of Utah
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Creosote bushes replaced juniper trees in the Mohave Desert more than 10,000 years ago; woodrats had to switch their diet from juniper to creosote.
Credit: Denise Dearing, University of Utah
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