Desert kangaroo rat
A species of Kangaroo rats Scientific name : Dipodomys deserti Genus : Kangaroo rats
Desert kangaroo rat, A species of Kangaroo rats
Scientific name: Dipodomys deserti
Genus: Kangaroo rats
Content
Description General Info
Photo By silversea_starsong , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti) is a common species of the genus of pocket mice, which occurs in desert areas of the United States as the Valley of Death.
General Info
Lifespan
2-5 years
Diet
Desert kangaroo rat predominantly consumes plant material, particularly seeds from shrubs and annual plants in its desert landscape. It also includes insects for supplemental nutrition, showing an opportunistic foraging behavior. These rodents do not require free water, extracting needed moisture from their food.
Appearance
Desert kangaroo rat has a compact, kangaroo-like physique, with a body length of about 30 centimeters and a longer, bushy tail. Its coarse fur ranges from light brown to grey, providing perfect desert camouflage. Notable features include large hind legs for hopping, and small rounded ears. Male desert kangaroo rat tend to be slightly larger, with more vibrant coloration.
Behavior
Desert kangaroo rat is a nocturnal, solitary creature. It spends the day in burrows, emerging at night to forage for seeds and plants. It has a peculiar locomotion, with a series of jumps using hind legs, exhibiting adaptation to its arid habitat. Desert kangaroo rat also stores food and water in its cheek pouches, a key survival trait. Territorial, it marks its space with scent, ready to confront intruders with aggressive behaviors.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Mammals Order
Gnawing mammals Genus
Kangaroo rats Species
Desert kangaroo rat 
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