California
Dipodomys ingens  photo by John Shelton, Department Water Resources, courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | |
| Type of Animal: | Mammals |
|---|---|
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Heteromyidae |
| Federal Status: | Endangered |
| State Status: | Endangered |
| Occurrence: | |
| Habitat: | Desert,Grassland |
| Description: | Like all kangaroo rats, giant kangaroo rats can be identified by their small forefeet, exceptionally large hind feet, and long tail. Giant kangaroo rats are the largest species of kangaroo rat found in California. Kangaroo rats are adept at jumping, as they can often cover a distance of 6 feet in one leap! Kangaroo rats are also known for taking "dust baths" where they roll around in the soil to remove excess oils. Like pocket mice, kangaroo rats also have cheek pockets that are used for transport and storage of seeds. Giant kangaroo rats live in relatively hot places, where temperatures often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit and where rainfall is usually less than 15 inches per year. These creatures are active mainly at night but can occasionally be seen at sunset and sunrise. They are usually only outside of their burrows for 15 minutes each night, during which time they forage for seeds. When the growing season is ending they will spend more time outside of their burrows in order to gather more food for the winter months. Most species of kangaroo rats store their seeds in the walls of side tunnels extending from their burrow. However, giant kangaroo rats store their seeds near the entrance in tiny holes. When the seeds dry out they cover them with loose soil. Some individuals also pile their seeds outside of their burrow, and bring them inside only after they have dried out. Seeds that are left outside of the burrow have a greater chance of being stolen by birds and squirrels, but giant kangaroo rats are extremely protective of their territory and possessions. They warn potential thieves to stay away by drumming their hind feet on the ground. If that does not work, they run as fast as they can at the thief to scare it away. Giant kangaroo rat burrows tend to be rather shallow. In fact, during late spring and summer when drumming seems to be at its greatest, humans can often clearly hear it below the ground. These kangaroo rats are very particular about their homes, as they are constantly remodeling by closing off some entrances and tunnels while adding new ones in different areas. The breeding season is stimulated by rainfall. Giant kangaroo rats prefer to breed in cool, moist conditions. If the wet season is short females will produce only one litter of one to four young. During extended wet seasons females may have up to three litters, and young females may reproduce in the same year that they are born. During dry seasons females may not reproduce at all. Other mammals rarely live near kangaroo rats, so their main predators are owls. Occasionally, however, kit foxes, coyotes, and badgers will hunt them. |
| Effort: | "The habitat that giant kangaroo rats require has been greatly altered. They used to occur at elevations from 295 to 2,900 feet, but now they are only found between elevations of 656 and 2,500 feet. Within that range, much of the land has been fragmented by agriculture and petroleum developments that require irrigation. This fragmentation has resulted in six isolated populations of giant kangaroo rats. Further fragmentation within those populations has caused isolation of small colonies of kangaroo rats. Giant kangaroo rats are beneficial in the areas that they inhabit. They help increase plant productivity, create favorable microhabitats for endangered plants, and help kill off noxious weeds. Their burrows provide safety and shelter for many other animals, including the blunt-nosed leopard lizard (an endangered species) and the San Joaquin antelope squirrel (a threatened species). " |
| References: | Jameson et al. 1988. California Mammals. Wilson et al. (editors). 1999. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Whitaker (editor). 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals, Revised Edition. Zeiner et al. (editors). 1990. California’s Wildlife, Volume III, Mammals. |
| Other Sites: | Endangered Species Definitions: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/wildlife/watchable/wf_endanger.html |
| Field Office(s): | Bakersfield; Hollister |