Neotoma Floridana, Florida Rat. Natural size. Male, female and young of different age. by John Woodhouse Audubon (1845) presents a life-size, closely observed study of the Florida rat—today known scientifically as Neotoma floridana, commonly called the Eastern woodrat. Created during the great 19th-century flowering of natural history art, Audubon’s composition reflects the period’s synthesis of scientific inquiry and painterly grace. You see the adult pair and their young posed along a textured branch against a luminous white ground, each animal rendered with remarkable attention to posture, fur, and age-specific details.

This listing is for a museum-quality fine art print, produced by The Unique Maps Co. Choose archival, acid-free paper with a velvety matte finish or artist’s cotton canvas with a subtle weave that echoes the original plate’s tactility. A wide range of sizes is available, from intimate study to statement piece. Optional framing, matting, and ready-to-hang hardware make display effortless, and we’re happy to personalize with a discreet caption, date, or dedication to create a one-of-a-kind gift.

About the artist: John Woodhouse Audubon, son of the famed John James Audubon, was a gifted field observer and draughtsman who helped carry forward his family’s legacy of American wildlife portraiture. Working in the 1840s, he united anatomical accuracy with artistic clarity, contributing to a body of zoological illustration that set a benchmark for scientific fidelity and aesthetic refinement. His quadruped studies remain prized for their lifelike presence and clarity of form.

About the subject: Neotoma floridana is a resourceful woodrat known for its tidy stick nests and curious, collecting behavior—traits that have fascinated naturalists since the 19th century. Audubon’s life-size portrayal is especially instructive: the male, female, and juveniles reveal subtle differences in build and coat, offering a snapshot of the species’ life cycle at a glance. The result is both scientifically illuminating and quietly dramatic, emblematic of an era when cataloging biodiversity was a cultural passion.

About the style and color: This Victorian zoological illustration balances organic movement with precise draftsmanship. The flowing line of the branch guides the eye, while the rounded forms of the animals create a gentle rhythm across the sheet. A restrained, natural palette—soft browns and grays in the fur, warm orange-russet notes in the branch, and tiny touches of green—plays beautifully against the clean white field. Close looking reveals exquisitely fine strokes that model plush fur and bark textures, giving the animals a vivid, tactile presence. It’s a timeless piece for natural history enthusiasts, mid-century and rustic interiors alike, and anyone who appreciates the elegant intersection of art and science.

This print makes a thoughtful gift for biologists, veterinarians, and nature lovers; a charming accent for a nursery or study; and a meaningful present for birthdays, housewarmings, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Christmas, or for someone just back from exploring Florida’s wild places.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.