Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat

Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Heteromyidae
Genus: Dipodomys
Species: D. microps
Binomial name
Dipodomys microps
(Merriam, 1904)

The Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys microps) is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is endemic to the United States(found in Nevada, Utah, California, Oregon, and parts of Arizona and Idaho.[2] Their tail is 6.5 inches(136 mm) long, over two inches longer than the rest of their body, which is usually 4.25 inches.[3] There are 13 sub-species. [4] Saltbush leaves are a major dietary component, requiring specialized physiology to eliminate the salt while retaining water.[5] Their usual habitat is desert shrub.[6]

References

  1. ^ Linzey, A.V. & NatureServe (Hammerson, G.) (2008). Dipodomys microps. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 13 January 2009.
  2. ^ Reid, Fiona A. (2006). Mammals of North America. ISBN 0-395-93596-2. 
  3. ^ Reid, Fiona A. (2006). Mammals of North America. ISBN 0-395-93596-2. 
  4. ^ Wilson, Don E., ed. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 1-56098-845-2. 
  5. ^ Mares, Michael A. (1 November 2003), "Desert dreams: seeking the secret mammals of the salt pans - Naturalist at Large", Natural History, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1134/is_9_112/ai_110737005/ 
  6. ^ http://www.fws.gov/fishsprings/pdfs/MammalList.pdf