Download Dipodomys Californicus

Giant kangaroo rat
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Taxonomic classification
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Heteromyidae
Genus: Dipodomys
Species: D. californicus
Binomial name: Dipodomys californicus
(“Dipodomys ingens (Merriam)”)
Phylogeny
The phylogeny of the giant kangaroo
rat (Dipodomys) includes its most closely related
ancestor, the perognathus, or pocket mouse,
found in the Great Plains region of North
America. Microdipodops, or kangaroo mice, are
the next closest relative. Heteromys and Liomys,
more commonly known as pocket mice, are the
farther relatives known to the giant kangaroo rat
(“Phylogeny”).
Geographic range and population
Giant kangaroo rats are found in dry sandy
areas, including San Joaquin Valley in
California, United States. This species is
only found in California, and only in
regions that are currently fragmented from
human interference. Historically, they
have inhabited everywhere from San
Joaquin Valley, Carrizo Plain, and
Cuyama Valley (“Dipodomys Ingens”).
They have been described in historic
literature as a huge rat population, but
today the population is estimated to be
about 100,000 individuals in a year with
Population Decline
The giant kangaroo rat is very responsive
to the climate of its habitat, and the
population density ranges from one to
110 individuals per hectare of land
depending on the seasonal differences
(“Dipodomys Ingens”). The population
of giant kangaroo rats live on 2% of the
land they once had, and as a results
the population is small and fractured
(“Animal Guide”). The giant kangaroo
rat is considered endangered because
of a decrease in its range of population
and habitat. In 2000, the giant
kangaroo rat became critically
Status and recovery
In order to recover land for California’s giant
kangaroo rat, healthy land that is not prone to
floods or catastrophes in the area has been
designated for the purpose of their rehabilitation,
and measures have been takes to prevent
“inappropriate land uses that would degrade or
destroy habitat” (“Dipodomys Ingens”). In 2012 a
five year review of 34 threatened species -including the giant kangaroo rat-- began in the
states of California and Nevada (“Species
Profile”). The populations in California are also
protected by the “Carrizo Plan Natural Heritage
Reserve” (“Giant Kangaroo Rat”).
Works Cited
"Animal Guide: Giant Kangaroo Rat." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
"Dipodomys Ingens." (Giant Kangaroo Rat). Redlist.org, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
"Dipodomys Ingens (Merriam, 1904)." Dipodomys Ingens (Merriam, 1904). Global Biodiversity Information Facility,
n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
"Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys Ingens)." Giant Kangaroo Rat Video. ARKIVE, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
"Phylogeny of Kangaroo Rats." Phylogeny of Kangaroo Rats. Davidson.edu, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
"Species Profile for Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys Ingens)." Species Profile for Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys
Ingens). US Fish and Wildlife Service, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.