Morro Bay kangaroo rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morro Bay kangaroo rat |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Heteromyidae |
| Genus: | Dipodomys |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
D. h. morroensis
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| Trinomial name | |
| Dipodomys heermanni morroensis (Merriam, 1907)
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The Morro Bay kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni morroensis) is a small rodent that looks a bit like a tiny kangaroo! It's a special animal that lives only in a small area of San Luis Obispo County, California. This unique creature is the smallest type of Heermann's kangaroo rat. Sadly, it is also an endangered species, meaning it's at risk of disappearing forever.
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Where Does It Live?
The Morro Bay kangaroo rat lives in a very specific place. It can only be found in a small area of about 2 square kilometers (less than 1 square mile) near Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County. This area includes places like Los Osos and Montana de Oro State Park.
This special kangaroo rat needs a certain type of soil called "Baywood fine sands" to dig its homes. Its burrows, which are like underground tunnels, go into the ground at an angle. Other types of Heermann's kangaroo rats live in warmer, semi-desert areas.
What Does It Look Like?
Just like their name suggests, Morro Bay kangaroo rats look a lot like tiny kangaroos!
- They have strong back legs for jumping.
- Their front legs are short.
- They have a long tail that helps them balance when they leap.
- Their ears are a normal size.
- The fur on their backs can be brown or yellow.
- Their bellies are white.
- They have very large eyes because they are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night.
The Morro Bay kangaroo rat is the smallest of all the Heermann's kangaroo rat types. It is about 11 to 13 centimeters (4 to 5 inches) long, not including its tail. Its tail adds another 16 to 19 centimeters (6 to 7.5 inches). These little animals weigh between 60 and 80 grams (about 2 to 3 ounces). Male kangaroo rats are usually a tiny bit longer than females.
What Do They Eat and How Do They Reproduce?
The main food for Morro Bay kangaroo rats is seeds. They gather seeds to eat, especially at night when they are most active.
These kangaroo rats usually have 2 to 3 groups of babies, called litters, each year. A litter can have anywhere from one to seven babies, but usually, there are about two. When the babies are born, they are very tiny. They don't have any hair, their eyes and ears are closed, and they don't have teeth yet.
Endangered and Missing
The Morro Bay kangaroo rat is listed as federally endangered. This means it is in serious danger of disappearing forever. Scientists and wildlife experts have been looking for this animal for many years. Sadly, no one has seen a Morro Bay kangaroo rat in the wild since 1986. Despite many searches, it has not been found.
