Stephen's kangaroo rat
Kangaroo rats (genus Dipodomys) are a small group of burrowing North American rodents that are specialized for seed-eating. They are named for their bipedal (hopping) locomotion and have large hind feet, long tails, and short front limbs used mainly for gathering seeds, which are carried in fur-lined external cheek pouches. All kangaroo rats closely resemble each other in general appearance (check the links below), although they vary by about 4-fold in size. This species, Stephen's kangaroo rat, lives only in western Riverside County, California and a few adjacent areas. It is Federally-listed as an endangered species, because its favorite habitat -- grasslands -- is also the favorite habitat of housing developments. Several other California K-rat species are also endangered because of habitat loss. Listing of this species was highly controversial because it brought development to a halt until a species recovery plan could be developed. Many people were offended that 'a rat' was being federally protected, but as you can see it is a much more interesting and attractive animal than a standard rat. I photographed this one on a summer evening at the University of California's Motte Rimrock Reserve, one of the few strongholds of Stephen's kangaroo rat.
These links lead to images of Ord's kangaroo rat, Panamint kangaroo rat, and the related Great Basin pocket mouse.
Images copyright by Mark A. Chappell
