(Photograph = Kangaroo rat [Dipodomys sp], Scott Costello)
Introduction
Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys) are nocturnal, bipedal rodents of arid and semi-arid North America. In sandy or soft soils, they dig extensive burrow systems that buffer daytime heat and conserve moisture. They carry seeds in external, fur-lined cheek pouches, then cache them underground—behavior that shapes local plant communities. About two dozen species are recognized; several occur across the Mojave, Sonoran, and western Great Basin deserts.
The Details
Burrows and activity: Kangaroo rats construct branching tunnels with sleeping chambers and seed storerooms. By day, entrances are often plugged to stabilize temperature and humidity. Mounds can be broad and conspicuous, and surface runways radiate to feeding areas.
Diet and water economy: Seeds dominate the diet. Even when fresh vegetation is present, many species rely on dry seed caches, supported by a low metabolic rate and efficient kidneys. They drink when water is available, but they can persist without free water for long periods.
Range and elevation: While many species favor low deserts, some populations extend onto uplands and high valleys, especially where sandy flats or dunes occur. Local densities vary with soil texture, shrub cover, and recent rainfall.
Predators and community: Predators include owls, foxes, badgers, coyotes, and snakes. In creosote-bush and mixed-shrub communities, kangaroo rats harvest, eat, and bury seeds, thereby influencing which plants regenerate near their burrows and runways.
Additional Reading: Kangaroo Rats
Additional Reading: Desert Kangaroo Rat
