Head to head
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat vs Ord's Kangaroo Rat
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat
VS Ord's Kangaroo Rat
Merriam's kangaroo rat and Ord's kangaroo rat are two common kangaroo rats of the American West, similar in lifestyle but differing in range, habitat, and the details of how they cope with the desert.
| Merriam's Kangaroo Rat | Ord's Kangaroo Rat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Dipodomys merriami | Dipodomys ordii |
| Range | Desert from California and Nevada east to Texas and south into northern Mexico | Desert and grassland across a broad range spanning western North America |
| Habitat | Sandy and gravelly desert | Desert and grassland |
| Water | Gets the moisture it needs from the seeds it eats, rather than from drinking | Never needs to drink, getting all its moisture metabolically from dry seeds |
| Burrow | Often plugs its burrow entrance by day, keeping the air inside cooler and more humid | Shelters in underground burrows by day to avoid desert heat |
| Dust baths | Rolls in dry sand or dust to keep its fur in good condition | Not specifically documented |
| Diet | Mainly seeds, along with some green plant matter and insects | Primarily seeds, supplemented with green vegetation and insects |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, widespread and common | Least Concern, widespread |
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat vs Ord's Kangaroo Rat: common questions
Why does Merriam's kangaroo rat plug its burrow?
Plugging the entrance during the day helps keep the air inside cooler and more humid.
Which kangaroo rat never needs to drink?
Ord's kangaroo rat can survive its entire life without drinking, and Merriam's kangaroo rat also gets the moisture it needs from the seeds it eats.
Where do Merriam's and Ord's kangaroo rats live?
Merriam's kangaroo rat lives in desert from California and Nevada east to Texas and south into northern Mexico, while Ord's kangaroo rat ranges across desert and grassland in western North America.