Mammals
Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys spectabilis · also called bannertail kangaroo rat
On a still desert night, a banner-tailed kangaroo rat stands on its mound and drums its hind feet, sending a pattern through the ground that other kangaroo rats can feel.
Overview
The banner-tailed kangaroo rat, Dipodomys spectabilis, is a Least Concern rodent native to the desert grasslands of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its white-tipped tail, large burrow mounds, and foot-drumming communication make it one of the most distinctive kangaroo rats.
A rodent that drums
Rather than calling out, the banner-tailed kangaroo rat sends messages through the ground, a useful trick in open desert at night.
Status
Least Concern, locally common in suitable habitat.
Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat: common questions
Why is it called banner-tailed?
It has a long tail with a white tip, which gave the species its name.
What is foot-drumming?
The kangaroo rat thumps its hind feet in rhythmic patterns, which can be used to signal to other kangaroo rats and may warn of danger.
Does the banner-tailed kangaroo rat need to drink?
It needs little or no free water and gets most of its moisture from the seeds it eats.
Where is the banner-tailed kangaroo rat found?
It is native to desert grassland in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, including the Chihuahuan Desert.