Mammals
Giant Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys ingens
At dusk on a dry California plain, a giant kangaroo rat hops from its burrow to gather seeds, a small rodent whose tunnels quietly shape the grassland around them.
Overview
The giant kangaroo rat, Dipodomys ingens, is an Endangered rodent restricted to the dry grasslands of central California. Its large size, seed-storing burrows, and keystone role make it one of the most ecologically important small mammals in the state.
A small animal with a big footprint
Because other animals depend on its burrows and on the grassland it maintains, the decline of the giant kangaroo rat reaches far beyond the species itself.
Status
Endangered, with a decreasing population confined to fragments of its former habitat.
Giant Kangaroo Rat: common questions
How big is the giant kangaroo rat?
It is the largest species of kangaroo rat, though it remains a small rodent.
Why is the giant kangaroo rat a keystone species?
Its burrows and seed harvesting shape the plants around them, its burrows shelter other animals, and it is prey for foxes, owls, and snakes.
Why is the giant kangaroo rat endangered?
It has lost most of its original habitat to farming and development and survives only in scattered fragments.
Where is the giant kangaroo rat found?
It lives in dry grassland and scrub in the San Joaquin Valley and nearby parts of central California.