Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys microps
Summary 2
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). 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. There are 13 sub-species. Saltbush leaves are a major dietary component, requiring specialized physiology to eliminate the salt while retaining...
Description 3
The Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat has chisel-shaped lower incisors, with which it strips the epidermis from the leaves of desert shadscale or saltbush, thereby reaching the palatable and water-rich interior of the leaf. This Kangaroo Rat eats more leaves than seeds, which is unusual for the genus. Its ability to subsist on perennial shrubs gives it an advantage when the climate does not support the growth of herbaceous vegetation. The species is common across the Great Basin of the western United States, and is also known as the Great Basin Kangaroo Rat.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
Sources and Credits
- (c) David Syzdek, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dipodomys-microps.jpg
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipodomys_microps
- (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/6624832
