Desert Kangaroo Rat
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Dipodomys deserti
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
5.5-8 years
Top speed
10
6
km/hmph
km/h mph 
Weight
83-148
2.9-5.2
goz
g oz 
Length
331-342
13-13.5
mminch
mm inch 

The desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti ) is a rodent species in the family Heteromyidae that is found in desert areas of southwestern North America. It is one of the large kangaroo rats, with a total length greater than 12 inches (30 cm) and a mass greater than 3.2oz (91g).

Appearance

The Desert kangaroo rats are adorable animals with noticeably large hind legs, helping them escape from predators. The Desert kangaroo rat resembles a tiny kangaroo, and is a size of a mouse. The species is so called due to hopping like a kangaroo. The unusual Desert kangaroo rat is among the animals with least water demand. This animal is able to live in extremely dry conditions, getting all required moisture from dry seeds it consumes. It has pouches on both sides of its mouth, where it stores food. The life expectancy of the Desert kangaroo rats in the wild in unknown, but those in captivity usually live 5.5 - 8 years.

Distribution

Geography

The range of Desert kangaroo rat includes parts of the Sonoran Desert as well as arid areas of southwestern North America - Death Valley, the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert (Mexico and United States). The ideal habitat of this species is sandy-soiled desert with sparse vegetation, represented by grasses, cacti and creosote bush.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Desert kangaroo rats are generally nocturnal, but can occasionally come out of their burrows by day. During the daytime hours, they usually sleep in their burrows, emerging to forage only by night, when the temperature drops. When looking for food, a kangaroo rat roams in a radius of up to 100 m. These animals spend most of their active hours modifying their burrows. They can be observed constantly digging new tunnels, opening new entrances as well as plugging entrances. These animals are solitary, socializing only when mating or rearing their young. Each burrow is used by a single individual. Desert kangaroo rats are highly territorial animals, fiercely driving intruders away from their home range. Spotting an unknown object, they will kick sand at the object to determine if it's alive and to make sure it's not a threat. This kicking habit allows them to escape traps: they usually kick so much sand onto traps that eventually spring or bury them. Desert kangaroo rats enjoy dust-bathing in the sand. They do this in order to maintain their coat clean and get rid of grease.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Desert kangaroo rats are herbivores (folivores). Instead of eating succulent plants, these animals usually use dried plant matter, left from the previous year. Typical types of food include leaves of sage and various seeds such as these of the creosote bush.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
early January-early July
PREGNANCY DURATION
29-32 days
BABY CARRYING
1-6 kittens
INDEPENDENT AGE
21 days
BABY NAME
pinkie, kitten

Although the mating system of this species is unknown, Desert kangaroo rats are thought to be polygynandrous (promiscuous), which means that individuals of both sexes mate with multiple mates. Mating season lasts from early January to early July. Females produce 1 - 2 litters of 1 - 6 young per year, after a gestation period of 29 - 32 days. A newborn baby of Desert kangaroo rat is about 52 mm in length. Young are born naked and with thin, pink, transparent skin. Hence, the mother kicks sand onto her babies in order to dry them. Young are nursed by their mother in a nest. Weaning occurs at 21 days old, by which time young attain their full furring and coloration. As other related species, Desert kangaroo rats reach sexual maturity at 2 months old.

Population

Population threats

Although there are no notable threats to the overall population of this species, cars and recreational vehicles on dune areas may pose a serious threat to Desert kangaroo rats, found in the area.

Population number

According to IUCN, the Desert kangaroo rat is very common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. However, numbers of this species are stable today, and it is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Ecological niche

The role of Desert kangaroo rats in the local ecosystem is not fully explored. However, these animals are known to be key prey species for numerous predators. In addition, due to caching seeds, they serve as important seed dispersers of their range.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • Desert kangaroo rats in captivity are known to collect seeds. However, there is no information on food caching habits of populations in the wild.
  • These rodents are accomplished swimmers. Along with other kangaroo rats, they remain active during the cold season and do not undergo hibernation.
  • Due to their special kidneys, these kangaroo rats are able to get rid of waste materials with minimum release of moisture.
  • These animals take dust baths instead of water baths, wallowing in the sand.
  • Nasal passages of kangaroo rats possess a special cooling system, which reduces loss of moisture and helps the animals cool off.
  • Kangaroo rats never sweat or pant in order to cool off, since they would lose a significant amount of water form their bodies, which helps them survive.

References

1. Desert Kangaroo Rat Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_kangaroo_rat
2. Desert Kangaroo Rat on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/6686/0

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