Kangaroo rats, small mostly nocturnal rodents of genus Dipodomys, are native to arid areas of western North America. Kangaroo rats tend to live in the desert flatlands, creosote flats, and the sandy soils of the desert washes. The scorching heat of the desert is the ideal condition for them to live. They can adapt to desert life with ease. The ideal habitat of this species is a sandy-soiled desert with sparse vegetation, represented by grasses, cacti, and creosote bush. The kangaroo rats burrow into the soil to better survive the sometimes harsh desert environment. The range of Desert kangaroo rats 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).
Kangaroo rats are four-toed heteromyid rodents with big hind legs, small front legs, and relatively large heads. Adults typically weigh between 70 and 170 grams.
The common name derives from their bipedal form. They hop in a manner similar to the much larger kangaroo. Despite its name and mouse-like appearance, the Kangaroo rat is neither a rat nor a mouse. The Kangaroo rat is a member of the Heteromyidae family, they are more closely related to beavers and pocket gophers than they are to black rats and house mice.
They are sensitive to extreme temperatures and remain in their burrows during rainstorms and other forms of inclement weather. Kangaroo rats live in complex burrow systems. The burrows have separate chambers used for specific purposes like sleeping, living, and food storage. Because their habitats are hot and dry, they must conserve water. 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.
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 the 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 from their bodies, which helps them to survive.
They hop on their hind feet, using their tails for balance, and eat seeds that they collect in their fur-lined cheek pouches. Extra seeds are stored in their burrows where the seeds can absorb up to 30 percent more moisture. Kangaroo rats are mostly seed-eaters, eating mostly mesquite beans and grass seeds. Occasionally the Kangaroo rat can be seen eating small insects.
The kangaroo rat is almost perfectly adapted to life in the desert. They can survive without ever drinking any water, getting needed moisture from their seed diet. Kangaroo rats have the ability to convert the dry seeds they eat into water. They have excellent hearing and can even detect the silent sound of an owl approaching. Their large back legs enable them to jump up to 9 feet in one jump in order to escape predators. They possess a pair of big eyes, which helps them to see clearly in the dark. It is an essential tool for them to avoid attacks from their predators.
Unfortunately for the kangaroo rat has many predators. There are many creatures out there who would like to make a tasty meal out of this small creature. Owls, snakes, hawks, bobcats, foxes, badgers, coyotes, ringtails, and your cat or dog are just a few. Snakes are considered the deadliest for them.
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.
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.
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. They build burrows that help to support healthy soils and they help maintain native plant communities.
#Wildlife #SonoranDesert ##HarrisHawk
1 сен 2021
