Pacific Kangaroo Rat

Dipodomys agilis

There are many species of kangaroo rat in the genus Dipodomys.  They vary depending on size and locations.

Family:

 Heteromyidae (kangaroo rats, pocket mice, and relatives)

Description:

The pacific kangaroo rat is a medium-size rat for this genus.  Its total length is approximately 12 inches with nearly 7 inches being made up of its tail. Males are slightly larger than females.The hind feet are elongated and well adapted for hopping.  Each of their hind feet have five toes (compared to Mirriam’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami), which has four toes on each hind foot). The front feet are small and are adapted for the manipulation of food and help in construction of burrows.  The kangaroo rat’s upper parts are dark reddish brown with a blackish crest and turf. External, fur-lined cheek pouches, one on each side of the mouth, are used to carry food from where it is found to a storage place.       

Habitat:

In most of its range the Dipodomys agilis is found in open chaparral and coastal sage-scrub.  They are found in elevations up to 8000 feet.

Range:

This species of kangaroo rats has a limited range.   It is found in west central California and the range extends southward to the foothills of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains along the northern side of the Los Angeles basin.

Diet:

Like most  kangaroo rats this species typically maintains a diet of seeds, but may consume insects and vegetation.

Breeding:

The breeding season is March to July, but some litters may be born in the autumn. One litter of 2 to 4 young is born each y

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