Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Title
Kangaroo Rats
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
July 1994
There are 23 species of kangaroo rats
(genus Dipodomys) in North America.
Fourteen species occur in the lower 48
states. The Ord’s kangaroo rat (D. ordi) occurs in 17 US states, Canada,
and Mexico. Other widespread species
include the Merriam kangaroo rat
(D. merriami), bannertail kangaroo rat
(D. spectabilis), desert kangaroo rat
(D. deserti), and Great Basin kangaroo
rat (D. microps).
Kangaroo rats are distinctive rodents
with small forelegs; long, powerful
hind legs; long, tufted tails; and a pair
of external, fur-lined cheek pouches
similar to those of pocket gophers.
They vary from pale cinnamon buff to
a dark gray on the back with pure
white underparts and dark markings on the face and tail. The largest, the
giant kangaroo rat (D. ingens), has a
head and body about 6 inches (15 cm)
long with a tail about 8 inches (20 cm)
long. The bannertail kangaroo rat is
approximately the same size, but has a
white-tipped tail. The other common
species of kangaroo rats are smaller.
The Ord’s kangaroo rat has a head and
body about 4 inches (10 cm) long and a
tail about 7 inches (18 cm) long.
Exclusion:
Rat-proof fences may be practical only
for small areas of high-value crops.
Cultural Methods:
Plant less palatable crops along field
edges and encourage dense stands
of rangeland grass.
Repellents:
None are registered.
Toxicants:
Zinc phosphide.
Fumigants:
Aluminum phosphide and gas cartridges
are registered for various
burrowing rodents.
Trapping:
Live traps.
Snap traps.
Other Methods:
Use water to flush kangaroo rats from
burrows.
Download
