The kangaroo rat belongs to the genus Dipodomys, a group of small rodents native to North America. They get this name because of their miniature resemblance to Australian kangaroos: they have two larger hind legs that they use to move. There are currently 22 species of diplodomys or kangaroo rats spread over various areas, although the morphology is very similar in all cases, only slightly modified.
It is not a domestic animal due to its high need for movement and its feral behavior that does not allow a good relationship to be achieved between the person who keeps it in captivity. Keep reading this breed file on our site to find out all about the kangaroo rat
Habitat
These small rodents are native to the United States, they prefer a sandy and dry environment although they can also be found in rocky areas belonging to Central America. Their survival is truly enviable as they live in extreme environments with high temperatures and water scarcity.
In addition to the high temperatures, the kangaroo rat suffers from the intense cold at night, which it tries to alleviate by traveling through long desert areas to increase its body temperature. They are also washed with hot sand that remains buried after all day. Their natural habitat is devoid of water, for this reason they extract liquid from the seeds and plants they eat.
Physical appearance
The kangaroo rat is a rather peculiar rodent. It shows a unique tail in the world: longer than its body and made up of short hair, at the end we find a black and white tuft. They use this tail for balance and support if needed.
They present a slight sexual dimorphism since the males are somewhat larger than the females, even so they are very small animals that barely exceed 0.75 kilograms in weight. They are located in the half kilo.
We also highlight two elongated hind legs with a difference compared to the front ones. This allows them to jump in a surprising way while reaching great speeds to escape their predators. Catching a kangaroo rat is extremely difficult.
Feeding
The kangaroo rat's diet is mainly based on figs, nuts and the fruit of the vine, although they have also learned to extract and eat tubers, roots and mushrooms. It is an animal that easily adapts to arid environments.
Reproduction
Every five or six months the kangaroo rat's reproductive period begins and for this they emit high-pitched sounds that allow them to communicate and make themselves known in the area. Unlike other rodents, they usually have about 3 offspring for each litter and their pregnancy lasts about 40 days.
The little newborns are born without hair and without vision inside the burrow that their parents build. They begin to come out at 9 weeks of age, at which point they are fully grown and can begin a life independent of their relatives. Between 9 and 11 months, the specimen is considered to be an adult and that is when it can begin to reproduce.
