Head to head
Desert Pocket Mouse vs Ord's Kangaroo Rat
Desert Pocket Mouse
VS Ord's Kangaroo Rat
The desert pocket mouse and Ord's kangaroo rat belong to the same group of desert rodents with fur-lined cheek pouches, and both collect seeds at night, but they differ in build and range.
| Desert Pocket Mouse | Ord's Kangaroo Rat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Chaetodipus penicillatus | Dipodomys ordii |
| Relationship | A pocket mouse, in the same group as kangaroo rats | A kangaroo rat |
| Range | Sandy desert in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico | Desert and grassland across a broad range spanning western North America |
| Cheek pouches | External, fur-lined pouches that open outside the mouth and carry seeds | External, fur-lined pouches that carry seeds to burrows |
| Water | Gets the moisture it needs from the seeds it eats, rather than from drinking | Can survive its whole life without drinking, producing concentrated urine and dry droppings |
| Locomotion | A long tail with a small tuft used for balance when it hops | Hops on long hind legs for quick bursts and sharp turns |
| Food storage | Hoards seeds in its burrow for lean times | Caches surplus seeds in its burrows for leaner periods |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Desert Pocket Mouse vs Ord's Kangaroo Rat: common questions
Is a pocket mouse related to a kangaroo rat?
Yes, pocket mice and kangaroo rats belong to the same group of desert rodents with fur-lined cheek pouches.
Do these desert rodents need to drink?
No, the desert pocket mouse gets its moisture from the seeds it eats, and Ord's kangaroo rat can survive its whole life without drinking.
Where do the desert pocket mouse and Ord's kangaroo rat live?
The desert pocket mouse lives in sandy desert in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, while Ord's kangaroo rat ranges across desert and grassland in western North America.