View source for Kangaroo rat

{{Short description|Genus of rodents}}
{{distinguish|spectacled_hare-wallaby{{!}}the spectacled hare-wallaby|rat-kangaroo{{!}}smaller Australian marsupial relatives of kangaroos and wallabies known as rat-kangaroos}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Kangaroo rat
| fossil_range = Late [[Pliocene]] – Recent
| image = kangaroo-rat.jpg
| taxon = Dipodomys
| authority = [[John Edward Gray|J. E. Gray]], 1841<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Gray|first1=J. E.|title=A new Genus of Mexican Glirine Mammalia|journal=The Annals and Magazine of Natural History|date=1841|volume=7|issue=46|pages=521–522|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2315114}}</ref>
| type_species = ''[[Dipodomys phillipsii]]''
| type_species_authority = [[John Edward Gray|J. E. Gray]], 1841
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision = ''[[Dipodomys agilis]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys californicus]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys compactus]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys deserti]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys elator]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys gravipes]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys heermanni]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys ingens]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys merriami]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys microps]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys nelsoni]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys nitratoides]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys ordii]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys panamintinus]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys phillipsii]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys simulans]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys spectabilis]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys stephensi]]''<br>
''[[Dipodomys venustus]]''
| synonyms =
{{Genus list
| Dipodops | Merriam, 1890
| Perodipus | Fitzinger, 1867
| Macrocolus | Wagner, 1846
}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref>{{Catalogue of Life|id=46G4|title=''Dipodomys''|access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref>
}}

'''Kangaroo rats''', small mostly [[nocturnal]] [[rodent]]s of genus '''''Dipodomys''''', are native to arid areas of western [[North America]]. The common name derives from their bipedal form. They hop in a manner similar to the much larger [[kangaroo]], but developed this mode of locomotion [[Convergent Evolution|independently]], like several other clades of rodents (e.g., [[dipodid]]s and [[hopping mice]]).

==Description==
Kangaroo rats are four or five-toed [[Heteromyidae|heteromyid rodent]]s with big hind legs, small front legs, and relatively large heads. Adults typically weigh between {{convert|70|and|170|g|oz}}.<ref name=Nader1978>Nader, I.A. 1978. [http://hdl.handle.net/2142/26550 "Kangaroo rats: Intraspecific Variation in ''Dipodomus spectabilis'' Merriami and ''Dipodomys deserti'' Stephens"]. ''Illinois biological monographs''; '''49''': 1-116. Chicago, University of Illinois Press.</ref> The tail of a kangaroo rat is longer than its body and head combined. Another notable feature of kangaroo rats is their fur-lined cheek pouches, which are used for storing food. The coloration of kangaroo rats varies from cinnamon buff to dark gray, depending on the species.<ref name=Howard1994>{{cite book |chapter-url= https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdmhandbook/22/|url= https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdmhandbook/|title= Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage|chapter= Kangaroo Rats|last= Howard|first= V.W. Jr.|editor-last1= Hygnstrom|editor-first1= S.E.|editor-last2= Timm|editor-first2= R.M.|editor-last3= Larson|editor-first3= G.E.|date= 1994|publisher= Cooperative Extension Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Animal Damage Control; Great Plains Agricultural Council: Wildlife Committee|access-date= 2019-12-24|pages= B101–B104}}</ref> There is also some variation in length with one of the largest species, the [[banner-tailed kangaroo rat]] being 6 inches in body length and a tail length of 8 inches.<ref name=Howard1994/> [[Sexual dimorphism]] exists in all species, with males being larger than females.

===Locomotion===
Kangaroo rats move [[bipedally]]. Kangaroo rats often leap a distance of 7 feet,<ref name = "BLM_CA">{{cite web
 | title = Merriam's Kangaroo Rat ''Dipodomys merriami''
 | work = U. S. Bureau of Land Management web site | publisher = [[Bureau of Land Management]]
 | url = http://www.blm.gov/ca/forms/wildlife/details.php?metode=serial_number&search=2744&detaillabelc=Merriam
 | access-date = 2014-03-26}}</ref> and reportedly up to 9 feet (2.75 m)<ref name = "Desert_Museum">{{cite web
 | last = Merlin | first = P. | title = Heteromyidae: Kangaroo Rats & Pocket Mice
 | work = Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum web site | publisher = [[Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum]]
 | date = 2014 | url = http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_heteromyidae.php | access-date = 2014-03-26}}</ref> at speeds up to almost 10 feet/sec, or 11&nbsp;km/h (7 mph). They can quickly change direction between jumps.<ref name="PBS_Guide">{{cite web |date=2014 |title=Animal Guide: Giant Kangaroo Rat |url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/interactives-extras/animal-guides/animal-guide-giant-kangaroo-rat/2196/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326031613/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/interactives-extras/animal-guides/animal-guide-giant-kangaroo-rat/2196/ |archive-date=2014-03-26 |access-date=2014-03-26 |work=Nature on PBS web site |publisher=[[Public Broadcasting System]]}}</ref> The rapid locomotion of the banner-tailed kangaroo rat may maximise energy cost and minimise predation risk. Its use of a "move-freeze" mode may also make it less conspicuous to nocturnal predators.<ref name=Schroder1979/>

==Ecology==

===Range and habitat===
Kangaroo rats live in arid and semiarid areas of western North America{{Citation needed|reason=Need to find a comprehensive reference for multiple species|date=October 2025}}, particularly on sandy or soft soils<ref name=Howard1994/> which are suitable for burrowing. They can, however, vary in both geographic range and habitat. Their elevation range depends on the species; they are found from below sea level to at least 7,100 feet (the [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] of ''[[Ord's kangaroo rat|D. ordii]] priscus'').<ref name= "mammal">{{cite journal |last1= Garrison |first1= T.E.|last2= Best|first2= T.L.|title=''Dipodomys ordii'' |journal=[[Mammalian Species]] |date= April 1990 |issue= 353|pages= 1–10 |doi= 10.2307/3504290 |jstor= 3504290|doi-access= free }}</ref>  They are sensitive to extreme temperatures and remain in their burrows during rain storms and other forms of inclement weather.<ref name=Howard1994/>  Kangaroo rats are preyed on by coyotes, foxes, badgers, weasels, owls, and snakes.

[[Merriam's kangaroo rat]]s live in areas of high rainfall and humidity, and high summer temperature and evaporation rates.<ref name=Reynolds1958>{{cite journal|last1= Reynolds|first1=H. G.|title= The Ecology of the Merriam Kangaroo Rat (''Dipodomys merriami'' Mearns) on the Grazing Lands of Southern Arizona|journal= Ecological Monographs|volume= 28|issue= 2|date= February 1958|pages= 111–127|doi= 10.2307/1942205|jstor= 1942205}}</ref> They prefer areas of stony soils, including clays, gravel, and rocks, which are harder than soils preferred by some other species (like banner-tailed kangaroo rats).<ref name=Howard1994/> Because their habitats are hot and dry{{contradictory inline|reason="high rainfall" at start of paragraph|date=November 2025}}, they must conserve water.<ref name=Lidicker1960>{{citation |last1= Lidicker |first1= W.Z. (Jr.)|title= An Analysis of Intraspecific Variation in the Kangaroo Rat ''Dipodomus merriami'' |series= University of California Publications in Zoölogy| volume= 67|issue= 2|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=nKSstAEACAAJ |year= 1960|publisher= [[University of California Press]]|oclc= 902701222}}</ref> They do this in part by lowering their metabolic rate, which reduces the loss of water through their skin and respiratory system. Evaporation through the skin is the major route of loss.<ref name = "Tracy2000">{{cite journal |last1= Tracy|first1= R.L.|last2= Walsberg|first2= G.E.|title= Prevalence of cutaneous evaporation in Merriam's kangaroo rat and its adaptive variation at the subspecific level|journal= Journal of Experimental Biology|volume= 203|issue= 4|pages= 773–781|date= 2000|doi= 10.1242/jeb.203.4.773|pmid= 10648219|url= https://jeb.biologists.org/content/203/4/773|access-date= 2020-01-06|url-access= subscription}}</ref> Merriam's kangaroo rats obtain enough water from the metabolic oxidation of the seeds they eat to survive and do not need to drink water at all.<ref name=Lidicker1960/> To help conserve water they produce very concentrated urine, via a process apparently associated with expression of [[aquaporin 1]] along a longer than usual segment of the [[descending limb of the loop of Henle]] in the kidney.<ref name= "Urity2012">{{cite journal|last1= Urity|first1=V. B.|last2= Issaian|first2=T.|last3= Braun|first3=E. J.|last4= Dantzler|first4=W. H.|last5= Pannabecker|first5=T. L.|title= Architecture of kangaroo rat inner medulla: segmentation of descending thin limb of Henle's loop|journal= American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology |volume= 302|issue= 6|year= 2012|pages= R720–R726|doi= 10.1152/ajpregu.00549.2011|pmid=22237592|pmc=3774486}}</ref>

In contrast, banner-tailed kangaroo rats have more specific habitat requirements for desert grasslands with scattered shrubs; this species is also more threatened because of the decline in these grasslands. These are also dry areas but they tend to have more water available to them than Merriam's kangaroo rats.

===Food and foraging===
Kangaroo rats are primarily seed eaters.<ref name="Morgan1992">{{cite journal |last1=Morgan |first1=K. R. |last2=Price |first2=M. V. |date=1992-12-01 |title=Foraging in Heteromyid Rodents: The Energy Costs of Scratch-Digging |journal=Ecology |volume=73 |issue=6 |pages=2260–2272 |doi=10.2307/1941473 |jstor=1941473}}</ref> They will, however, eat vegetation occasionally, and at some times of the year, possibly insects as well.<ref name=Howard1994/> They have been seen storing the seeds of mesquite, creosote bush, purslane, ocotillo, and grama grass in their cheek pouches. Kangaroo rats will store extra seeds in seed caches.<ref name=Reynolds1958/> This caching behavior affects the rangeland and croplands where the animals live.<ref name=Howard1994/> Kangaroo rats must harvest as much seed as possible in as little time as possible. To conserve energy and water, they minimize their time away from their cool, dry burrows. In addition, maximizing time in their burrows minimizes their exposure to predators.<ref name=Morgan1992/>

When on foraging trips, kangaroo rats hoard the seeds that they find. It is important for a kangaroo rat to encounter more food items than are consumed, at least at one point in the year, as well as defend or rediscover food caches and remain within the same areas long enough to utilize food resources.<ref name=Schroder1979>{{cite journal
 | last = Schroder | first = G. D. 
 | title = Foraging Behavior and Home Range Utilization of the Bannertail Kangaroo Rat
 | journal = [[Ecology (journal)|Ecology]] | volume = 60 | issue = 4 | pages = 657–665
 | date = August 1979 | jstor = 1936601 | doi=10.2307/1936601}}</ref> Different species of kangaroo rat may have different seed caching strategies to coexist with each other, as is the case for the banner-tailed kangaroo rat and Merriam's kangaroo rat which have overlapping ranges.<ref name=Nader1978/> Merriam's kangaroo rats scatterhoard small caches of seeds in numerous small, shallow holes they dig. This is initially done close to the food source, maximizing harvest rates and reducing travel costs, but later redistributed more widely, minimizing theft by other rodents. Banner-tailed kangaroo rats larderhoard a sizable cache of seeds within the large mounds they occupy. This could decrease their time and energy expenses; they also spend less time on the surface digging holes, reducing the risk of predation. Being larger and more sedentary, they are better able to defend these larders from depredations by other rodents.<ref name="Jenkins1995">{{cite journal |last=Jenkins |first=S. H. |author2=Rothstein, A. |author3=Green, W. C. H. |date=December 1995 |title=Food Hoarding by Merriam's Kangaroo Rats: A Test of Alternative Hypotheses |journal=[[Ecology (journal)|Ecology]] |volume=76 |issue=8 |pages=2470–2481 |doi=10.2307/2265821 |jstor=2265821}}</ref>

==Behavior==
[[File:Tipton kangaroo rat 8046-5 1991.jpg|thumb|[[Tipton kangaroo rat]] (''D. nitratoides nitratoides'') at the [[California Living Museum]] in Bakersfield]]
Kangaroo rats inhabit overlapping home ranges. These home ranges tend to be small with most  activities within 200–300&nbsp;ft and rarely 600&nbsp;ft.<ref name=Howard1994/> Home range size can vary within species with Merriam's kangaroo rats having larger home ranges than banner-tailed kangaroo rats. Recently weaned kangaroo rats move into new areas not occupied by adults. Within its home range, a kangaroo rat has a defended territory consisting of its burrowing system.

===Burrow system===
Kangaroo rats live in complex burrow systems. The burrows have separate chambers used for specific purposes like sleeping, living, and food storage.<ref name=Howard1994/> The spacing of the burrows depends on the number of kangaroo rats and the abundance of food. Kangaroo rats also live in colonies that range from six to several hundred dens.<ref name=Reynolds1958/> The burrow of a kangaroo rat is important in providing protection from the harsh desert environment. To maintain a constant temperature and relative humidity in their burrows, kangaroo rats plug the entrances with soil during the day.<ref name=Howard1994/> When the outside temperature is too hot, a kangaroo rat stays in its cool, humid burrow and leaves it only at night. To reduce loss of moisture through respiration when sleeping, a kangaroo rat buries its nose in its fur to accumulate a small pocket of moist air.<ref name=Lidicker1960/> The burrows of Merriam's kangaroo rats are simpler and shallower than those of banner-tailed kangaroo rats. Banner-tailed kangaroo rats also mate in their burrows, unlike Merriam's kangaroo rats.

===Social interactions===
Kangaroo rats are generally solitary animals with little social organization. Kangaroo rats communicate during competitive interactions and courtship.<ref>Randall, J.A. (2014). [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-7414-8_7 Vibrational Communication: Spiders to Kangaroo Rats]. In: Witzany, G. (ed). Biocommunication of Animals. Springer, Dortrecht, pp. 103-133.</ref> They do cluster together in some feeding situations. Groups of kangaroo rats that exist are aggregations and colonies.<ref name=Howard1994/> There appears to be a [[dominance hierarchy]] among male kangaroo rats in competition for access to females.<ref name=Newmark2000/> Male kangaroo rats are generally more aggressive than females and are more dominant over them. Females are more tolerant of each other than males are and have more non-aggressive interactions. This is likely in part because the home ranges of females overlap less than the home ranges of males.<ref name=Newmark2000>{{cite journal|last1= Newmark|first1=J. E.|last2= Jenkins|first2=S. H.|title=Sex Differences in Agonistic Behavior of Merriam's Kangaroo Rats (''Dipodomys merriami'')|journal= The American Midland Naturalist|volume= 43|issue= 2|date= April 2000|pages= 377–388|doi= 10.1674/0003-0031(2000)143[0377:SDIABO]2.0.CO;2|s2cid=86370238 }}</ref> Linear dominance hierarchies appear to exist among males but it is not known if this is the case for females.<ref name=Newmark2000/> Winners of aggressive encounters appear to be the most active individuals.

===Mating and reproduction===
Kangaroo rats have a [[Promiscuity#Other animals|promiscuous]] mating system. Their reproductive output is highest in summer following high rainfalls.<ref name=Waser1991>{{cite journal|last1= Waser|first1=P. M.|last2= Jones|first2=W. T.|title= Survival and Reproductive Effort in Banner-Tailed Kangaroo Rats|journal= Ecology|volume= 72|issue= 3|date= June 1991|pages= 771–777|doi= 10.2307/1940579|jstor= 1940579}}</ref> During droughts and food shortages, only a few females will breed.<ref name=Howard1994/> It appears that kangaroo rats can assess their local conditions and adjust their reproductive efforts accordingly.<ref name=Waser1991/> Merriam's kangaroo rats breed between December and May and produce two or three litters per year.<ref name=Nader1978/> Before mating, the male and female will perform nasal-anal circling until the female stops and allows the male to mount her. A Merriam's kangaroo rat female will allow multiple males to mount her in a short time, perhaps to ensure greater chances of producing offspring. Mating in banner-tailed kangaroo rats involves more chasing and foot drumming in the male before the female allows him to mate. Banner-tailed kangaroo rats mate on mounds and the more successful males chase away rival males.<ref name="Randall1987">{{cite journal |last1=Randall |first1=J. A. |date=January 1987 |title=Field Observations of Male Competition and Mating in Merriam's and Bannertail Kangaroo Rats |journal=American Midland Naturalist |volume=117 |issue=1 |pages=211–213 |doi=10.2307/2425723 |jstor=2425723}}</ref> The gestation period of kangaroo rats lasts 22–27 days.

The young are born in a fur-lined nest in the burrows. They are born blind and hairless.<ref name=Nader1978/> For the first week, young Merriam kangaroo rats crawl, developing their hind legs in their second or third week.<ref name=Reynolds1958/> At this time, the young become independent. Banner-tailed kangaroo rats are weaned between 22 and 25 days. Offspring remain in the mound for one or six more months in the maternal caches.<ref name=Waser1991/>

==Taxonomy==
* '''Family Heteromyidae'''
** '''Subfamily Dipodomyinae'''
*** ''[[Dipodomys agilis]]'' (Agile kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys californicus]]'' (California kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys compactus]]'' (Gulf Coast kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys deserti]]'' (Desert kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys elator]]'' (Texas kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys gravipes]]'' (San Quintin kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys heermanni]]'' (Heermann's kangaroo rat)
**** [[Berkeley kangaroo rat|''Dipodomys heermanni berkeleyensis'' (Berkeley kangaroo rat)]]
*** ''[[Dipodomys ingens]]'' (Giant kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys merriami]]'' (Merriam's kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys microps]]'' (Chisel-toothed kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys nelsoni]]'' (Nelson's kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys nitratoides]]'' (Fresno kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys ordii]]'' (Ord's kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys panamintinus]]'' (Panamint kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys phillipsii]]'' (Phillips's kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys simulans]]'' (Dulzura kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys spectabilis]]'' (Banner-tailed kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys stephensi]]'' (Stephens's kangaroo rat)
*** ''[[Dipodomys venustus]]'' ([[Narrow-faced kangaroo rat]])
**** ''[[Dipodomys venustus venustus]]'' (Santa Cruz kangaroo rat)<ref  name=Goldingay>{{cite journal |title=The Kangaroo Rats of California: endemism and conservation of keystone species |author=Goldingay, Ross L., Kelly, Patrick A., Williams, Daniel F. |journal=Pacific Conservation Biology |year=1997 |volume=3 |number=1 |pages=47–60 }}</ref><ref name=Alhajeri>{{cite journal |title=Cranial variation in species and subspecies of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys, Dipodomyinae, Rodentia) according to geometric morphometrics |author=Alhajeri,Bader H. |year=2025 |journal=Integrative Zoology |volume=20 |pages=108–134 }}</ref>
**** ''[[Dipodomys elephantinus|Dipodomys venustus elephantinus]]'' ([[Big-eared kangaroo rat|Elephant-eared or big-eared kangaroo rat]])<ref name=Goldingay/><ref name=Alhajeri/>
**** ''[[Dipodomys venustus sanctiluciae]]'' (Santa Lucia kangaroo rat)<ref name=Alhajeri/>

==See also==

* [[Hopping mouse]] – a similar [[Muridae|murid]] rodent native to Australia; an example of [[parallel evolution]]
* [[Jerboa]] – a similar [[dipodid]] rodent native to northern Africa and Asia
* [[Jumping mouse]] – a non-desert-dwelling [[dipodid]] rodent native to China and North America
* [[Kangaroo mouse]] – a closely related [[heteromyid]] rodent of North America
* [[Kultarr]] – an unrelated [[marsupial]] with a similar body plan and coloration; an example of [[convergent evolution|convergence]]
* [[Springhare]] – a similar [[pedetid]] rodent native to southern and eastern Africa

==References==<!-- AmericanMidlandNaturalist18:460. -->
{{Reflist}}
*{{MSW3 Heteromyidae | id = 12700003 | pages = 844–849}}

==External links==
{{Gutenberg|no=17966|name=Life History of the Kangaroo Rat}}--[[United States Department of Agriculture]] Bulletin No. 1091, from September 1922
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100806001919/http://www.arkive.org/giant-kangaroo-rat/dipodomys-ingens/video-00.html ARKive.org]

{{H. Dipodomyinae nav}}
{{Castorimorpha|G.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q120094}}

[[Category:Dipodomys]]
[[Category:Heteromyidae]]
[[Category:Extant Piacenzian first appearances]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]