Water Conservation of the Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ordii

Authors

W. Sue Fairbanks, Nebraska Wesleyan University
David Greegor, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Leonard Staudinger, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Erik Bitterbaum, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Date of this Version

1983

Document Type

Article

Comments

1983. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, XI:27-30. Copyright © 1983 Fairbanks, Greegor, Staudinger and Bitterbaum

Abstract

Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) have long been known for their water-conserving abilities. Dipodomys ordii is the most widely distributed kangaroo rat in the United States and its range extends through many climates. Five D. ordii from the Nebraska Sand Hills were used in this experiment. The results of this study indicate that Dipodomys ordii is not independent of free water, but does have a urine concentrating ability comparable to D. merriami, a desert-dwelling species. The individuals showed variability in their response to water deprivation.