Merriam's Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys merriami
Merriam's kangaroo rat is a small nocturnal rodent of deserts and arid scrublands in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It forages mostly for seeds, stuffing them into external cheek pouches and caching them in burrows rather than relying on drinking water. Long hind legs let it make sudden bounding escapes from snakes, owls, and foxes, while its underground burrow shelters it from daytime heat. A notable adaptation is its extremely efficient water conservation, allowing it to survive on metabolic water from dry seeds.
- Type
- Burrow
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
- ?
- Merriam's Kangaroo Rat