Dulzura kangaroo rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dipodomys simulans |
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Dipodomys
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simulans
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The Dulzura kangaroo rat (Dipodomys simulans), also known as the San Diego kangaroo rat, is a small rodent. It belongs to the family Heteromyidae, which includes other pocket mice and kangaroo rats.
You can find this animal in Baja California, Mexico. It also lives in parts of California in the United States, like the Colorado Desert. This species is quite common. Experts at the IUCN say it is a "least concern" animal. This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
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About Its Name
The Dulzura kangaroo rat was once thought to be the same species as the agile kangaroo rat (Dipodomys agilis). However, scientists now know they are different. They look a bit different, and their chromosomes are not the same. Chromosomes are tiny structures inside cells that carry genetic information. The agile kangaroo rat has 62 chromosomes, while the Dulzura kangaroo rat has 60.
What It Looks Like
This is a medium-sized kangaroo rat. It can be about 10 to 12.5 inches (26.5 to 31.9 cm) long. This measurement includes its long tail. The tail itself is about 6 to 8 inches (15.5 to 20.3 cm) long.
Its fur on top is dark brown. Its belly and underside are white. It has five toes on its back feet. These feet are about 1.7 to 1.8 inches (4.3 to 4.6 cm) long. Some other kangaroo rat species only have four toes. Its tail is covered in fur and has a dark stripe underneath.
Like other kangaroo rats, it moves by hopping. It uses only its strong back legs to jump around. Its long tail helps it balance as it hops. It uses its front legs for digging.
Where It Lives
The Dulzura kangaroo rat is native to southern California and northwestern Mexico. It lives in many parts of Baja California.
It prefers sandy and gravelly soils. You can find it in semi-desert areas, dry grasslands, and scrublands. It also lives in chaparral areas near the coast. Sometimes, it can be found in forests with pine trees, oak trees, and fir trees.
How It Lives
The Dulzura kangaroo rat lives in a burrow. A burrow is an underground tunnel system. Its burrow usually has several entrances. Some of these entrances might be hidden at the bottom of shrubs.
This animal is nocturnal. This means it is active at night. During the day, it stays inside its burrow. It often blocks the entrances to keep itself safe. It comes out for a few hours at night to find food.
It mainly eats seeds. However, it also eats green plants and insects. Its diet changes depending on what food is available. It carries food back to its burrow in special pouches in its cheeks.
The Dulzura kangaroo rat is a solitary animal. This means it lives alone. A female will protect her territory from other kangaroo rats. They can breed at any time of the year. However, breeding is more common in winter or spring. A female usually has one litter of babies each year. A litter typically has two to four young.
Its Conservation Status
The Dulzura kangaroo rat is common in the United States. In some areas, there can be up to 45 animals per hectare (about 2.5 acres). It is less common in Mexico. However, its total population is thought to be stable.
No major threats have been found for this species. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed its conservation status as "least concern". This means it is not currently at risk.
See also
In Spanish: Rata canguro de Dulzura para niños
