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 to 2015 destroyed their habitat (the grasslands) and changed it into desert.

California kangaroo rat
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. Cassola, F. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Dipodomys californicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T42599A115193510. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T42599A22228114.en. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  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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