California kangaroo rat

The California kangaroo rat (Dipodomys californicus) is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.[2] However, populations are declining, having not fully recovered after the drought in California from 2013-2015 destroyed their habitat (the grasslands) and changed it into desert.

California kangaroo R A T
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Heteromyidae
Genus: Dipodomys
Species:
D. californicus
Binomial name
Dipodomys californicus
Merriam, 1890

Distribution

The California kangaroo rat is endemic to western North America, found in Northern California and southern Oregon.[3] Its distribution is from the Sierra Nevada foothills to Suisun Bay, and northwards in the California Coast Ranges to the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.[1] California's Kangaroo Mountain was likely named after the California kangaroo rat.[4]

It is an IUCN listed Least Concern species, due to the size of its distribution range.[1]

Taxonomy

Dipodomys californicus was formerly included as a subspecies of Dipodomys heermanni, but differs enough in chromosomal and biochemical characteristics to warrant being recognized as a distinct species.[1]

References
  1. Linzey, A. V. & Hammerson, G. (NatureServe) (2008). "Dipodomys californicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Patton, J.L. (2005). "Family Heteromyidae". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 844–845. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. National Museum of Natural History: Dipodomys californicus .
  4. Bright, William (1998). 1500 California Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning. University of California Press. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-520-21271-8.


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