Dipodomyinae
Encyclopedia
The subfamily Dipodomyinae contains two genera:
Members of the Dipodomyinae, as implied by both their common and scientific names, are biped
al; they also jump exceptionally well. Kangaroo rats and mice are native to the desert
ecosystems of the Southwestern United States
, are generally herbivorous
foragers
, and dig and live in burrow
s.
- Subfamily Dipodomyinae
- Genus Dipodomys — kangaroo rats
- Agile Kangaroo RatAgile Kangaroo RatThe Agile Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys agilis, is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is found in Baja California, Mexico and southern California in the United States....
, Dipodomys agilis - California Kangaroo RatCalifornia Kangaroo RatThe California Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys californicus. is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.It is endemic to the United States.-References:* Rodent Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 29 July 2007....
, Dipodomys californicus - Gulf Coast Kangaroo RatGulf Coast Kangaroo RatThe Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae found in Mexico and the United States. Its appearance and ecology are very similar to its putative sister-species, Ord's Kangaroo Rat.-References:...
, Dipodomys compactus - Desert Kangaroo RatDesert Kangaroo RatThe Desert Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys deserti, is a rodent species in the family Heteromyidae that is found in desert areas of southwestern North America...
, Dipodomys deserti - Texas Kangaroo RatTexas Kangaroo RatThe Texas Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys elator, is native-endemic to Texas where it lives in association with mesquite brush and in areas with firm clay-loam soils. It is a relatively large kangaroo rat that ranges in size from approximately 60 grams to 95 or more. Males and females of this species are...
, Dipodomys elator - Big-eared Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys elephantinus
- San Quintin Kangaroo RatSan Quintin Kangaroo RatThe San Quintin Kangaroo Rat is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is endemic to Mexico, where it is known only from western Baja California. The natural habitat of the species is hot deserts. It is threatened by conversion of its habitat to agriculture...
, Dipodomys gravipes - Heermann's Kangaroo RatHeermann's Kangaroo RatHeermann's Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys heermanni, is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.Dipodomys heermanni is endemic to California in the United States.-References:...
, Dipodomys heermanni - Giant Kangaroo RatGiant Kangaroo RatThe Giant Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ingens, is an endangered rodent species endemic to California.-Description:Dipodomys ingens, the Giant Kangaroo Rat, is one of over 20 species of kangaroo rats, which are small members of the rodent family...
, Dipodomys ingens - Merriam's Kangaroo RatMerriam's Kangaroo RatMerriam's Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys merriami, is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. The species name commemorates Clinton Hart Merriam.-Range:...
, Dipodomys merriami - Chisel-toothed Kangaroo RatChisel-toothed Kangaroo RatThe Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.It is endemic to the United StatesThe Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys microps) is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.It is endemic to the United StatesThe Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys...
, Dipodomys microps - Nelson's Kangaroo RatNelson's Kangaroo RatNelson's Kangaroo Rat is a species of rodent in the Heteromyidae family.It is endemic to Mexico.-External links:* -References:...
, Dipodomys nelsoni - Fresno Kangaroo RatFresno Kangaroo RatThe Fresno Kangaroo Rat or San Joaquin Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys nitratoides, is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is endemic to areas near the San Joaquin Valley of California in the United States. Habitat loss due to agricultural development and urbanization has put this species at...
, Dipodomys nitratoides - Ord's Kangaroo RatOrd's Kangaroo RatOrd's Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ordii, is a kangaroo rat that is native to Western North America, specifically the Great Plains and the Great Basin with its range extending from extreme southern Canada to central Mexico....
, Dipodomys ordii - Panamint Kangaroo RatPanamint Kangaroo RatThe Panamint Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys panamintinus, is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is endemic to the Mojave Desert in California and Nevada, in the United States. Their tails are 7 inches long. It can swim well...
, Dipodomys panamintinus - Phillip's Kangaroo RatPhillip's Kangaroo RatPhillips's Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys phillipsii, is a species of rodent in the Heteromyidae family.It is endemic to Mexico.Its natural habitat is hot deserts.-References:...
, Dipodomys phillipsii - Dulzura Kangaroo RatDulzura Kangaroo RatThe Dulzura Kangaroo Rat, or San Diego Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys simulans, is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.The Dulzura Kangaroo Rat occurs in Baja California, Mexico, and in the Colorado Desert and elsewhere in California in the United States....
, Dipodomys simulans - Banner-tailed Kangaroo RatBanner-tailed Kangaroo RatThe Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.They are found in Mexico and Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in the United States.-References:...
, Dipodomys spectabilis - Stephens' Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys stephensi
- Narrow-faced Kangaroo RatNarrow-faced Kangaroo RatThe Narrow-faced Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys venustus, is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is endemic to California in the United States.-References:...
, Dipodomys venustus
- Agile Kangaroo Rat
- Genus Microdipodops — kangaroo mice
- Pale Kangaroo MousePale Kangaroo MouseThe Pale Kangaroo Mouse or Soda Spring Valley Kangaroo Mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is endemic to California and Nevada in the United States....
, Microdipodops pallidus - Dark Kangaroo MouseDark Kangaroo MouseThe Dark Kangaroo Mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is endemic to California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah in the United States....
, Microdipodops megacephalus
- Pale Kangaroo Mouse
- Genus Dipodomys — kangaroo rats
Members of the Dipodomyinae, as implied by both their common and scientific names, are biped
Biped
Bipedalism is a form of terrestrial locomotion where an organism moves by means of its two rear limbs, or legs. An animal or machine that usually moves in a bipedal manner is known as a biped , meaning "two feet"...
al; they also jump exceptionally well. Kangaroo rats and mice are native to the desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
ecosystems of the Southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
, are generally herbivorous
Herbivore
Herbivores are organisms that are anatomically and physiologically adapted to eat plant-based foods. Herbivory is a form of consumption in which an organism principally eats autotrophs such as plants, algae and photosynthesizing bacteria. More generally, organisms that feed on autotrophs in...
foragers
Foraging
- Definitions and significance of foraging behavior :Foraging is the act of searching for and exploiting food resources. It affects an animal's fitness because it plays an important role in an animal's ability to survive and reproduce...
, and dig and live in burrow
Burrow
A burrow is a hole or tunnel dug into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of shelter against predation and exposure to the elements, so the burrowing way of life is quite popular among the...
s.