Dipodomys nitratoides Merriam, 1894

San Joaquin kangaroo rat

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU) external link Showing: scientific names

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General Description

Description

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Smithsonian's North American Mammals external link
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Smithsonian Institution - North American Mammals external link
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As might be expected from its name, the Fresno Kangaroo Rat inhabits south-central California. The species is at risk because agriculture takes ever-increasing bits of its habitat. It cannot live in cultivated areas, and particularly dislikes the near-proximity of irrigation ditches. It prefers arid, alkaline plains with sparse vegetation, where it consumes seeds of annuals and shrubs, including saltbush. These small kangaroo rats are nocturnal and do not hibernate. Adults are very aggressive toward each other except for male-female interactions during the breeding season. Females usually have litters of two. The young are well-developed at birth. They mother crouches over them, keeping them warm but not crushing them, while they nurse. Young siblings interact and groom each other. They are weaned when they are about three weeks old and are soon independent, digging their own burrows and keeping all others of their kind out.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
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References
  • Merriam, C.H., 1894.  Preliminary descriptions of eleven new kangaroo rats of the genera Dipodomys and Perodipus, p. 112.  Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 9:109-116.
"Dipodomys nitratoides Merriam, 1894". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/328114". Accessed 14 Mar 2010.