California - Fresno Kangaroo Rat - Dipodomys Nitratoides Exilis

	Frsno Kangaroo Rat - Dipodomys Nitratoides Exilis
STATUS: Endangered. DESCRIPTION: Silken-furred kangaroo rat with large head and big eyes like other kangaroo rats. It has a white hip stripe and a dark patch actoss its nose. Its body is bufcolored with a white underside. This coloration distinguishes it from other kangaroo rats. Head and body measure about 10 cm. Tail is 12.2-15.2 cm. HABITAT: Fresno kangaroo rats live in the alkali marsh plant area of Fresno, Fresno County, California. Burrows are lockated in slightly elevated ground, above the seasonal floodwaters level. DISTRIBUTION: Present: Appears to be limited to the Alkali Sink Ecological Reserve and the Kerman Ecological Reserve, both in Fresno County, California. Historic: Ranged from north-central Merced County south through southwestern Madera and central Fresno counties. THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE: Alteration of natural habitat for farmland and pasture; farm crops replace its food plants; possibly predation by domesticated animals(cats). OTHER INFORMATION: Bounds across terrain kangaroo-style, hence the anme. Diet is mainly seeds they collect and bring back to burrows, but they also eat a small amount of green vegetation. Most water that they require comes from food they eat. Burrows act as nurseries where up to 5 young at a time are raised. Offspring begin foraging when 5 weeks old. Recovery plan is being preapred for subspecies by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. REFERENCES: Life on the Edge. Biosystems Books 1994. Santa Cruz, California

Frsno Kangaroo Rat - Dipodomys Nitratoides Exilis

STATUS: Endangered.

DESCRIPTION: Silken-furred kangaroo rat with large head and big eyes like other kangaroo rats. It has a white hip stripe and a dark patch actoss its nose. Its body is bufcolored with a white underside. This coloration distinguishes it from other kangaroo rats. Head and body measure about 10 cm. Tail is 12.2-15.2 cm.

HABITAT: Fresno kangaroo rats live in the alkali marsh plant area of Fresno, Fresno County, California. Burrows are lockated in slightly elevated ground, above the seasonal floodwaters level.

DISTRIBUTION:

Present: Appears to be limited to the Alkali Sink Ecological Reserve and the Kerman Ecological Reserve, both in Fresno County, California.
Historic: Ranged from north-central Merced County south through southwestern Madera and central Fresno counties.

THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE: Alteration of natural habitat for farmland and pasture; farm crops replace its food plants; possibly predation by domesticated animals(cats).

OTHER INFORMATION: Bounds across terrain kangaroo-style, hence the anme. Diet is mainly seeds they collect and bring back to burrows, but they also eat a small amount of green vegetation. Most water that they require comes from food they eat. Burrows act as nurseries where up to 5 young at a time are raised. Offspring begin foraging when 5 weeks old. Recovery plan is being preapred for subspecies by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

REFERENCES:
Life on the Edge. Biosystems Books 1994. Santa Cruz, California