
The Kangaroo rat belongs to the genus dipodomys , a group of small rodents from North America.They receive this name because of their miniature resemblance to Australian kangaroos: they have two hind legs of greater size that they use to move.There are currently 22 species of diplodomys or kangaroo rats spread over various areas, although the morphology is very similar in all cases, it only changes slightly.
It is not a domestic animal due to its high displacement needs and its feral behavior that It does not allow to achieve a good relationship between the person who keeps him in captivity.Read reading this breed sheet of Animals and Pets Online to discover everything about the kangaroo rat .
Habitat
These small rodents are native to the lands of the United States, prefer a dry and sandy environment although we can also find them in rocky areas belonging to Central America.Their survival is really enviable since they remain in extreme environments with high temperatures and water scarcity.
In addition to the high temperatures the kangaroo rat suffers the intense cold at night that tries to alleviate traveling long desert areas to increase its body temperature.they wash themselves with hot sand that remains buried after all day.Their natural habitat is devoid of water, for this reason they extract liquid from seeds and plants they eat.
Physical appearance
The kangaroo rat is a rather peculiar rodent.It shows a colaunica in the world: longer than its body and composed of short hair, in the end we find a black and white tuft.They use this tail to maintain balance and support themselves if they need it.
They have a slight sexual dimorphism since males are somewhat larger than females, even though they are very small animals that barely exceed 0.75 kilograms in weight.They stand in the half kilo.
We also highlight two elongated rear legs with difference from the front.That allows them to jump in a surprising way while reaching great speeds to escape their predators.Kangaroo rat is tremendously difficult.
Feeding
The feeding of the kangaroo rat is mainly based on figs, nuts and grapefruit although they have also learned to extract and eat tubers, roots and fungi.It is an animal that easily adapts to arid environments .
Reproduction
Every five or six months begins the period of reproduction of the kangaroo rat and for this they emit high-pitched sounds that allow them to communicate and make themselves known in the area.Unlike other rodents they usually have about 3 young per each litter and its pregnancy lasts about 40 days.
The little newborns are born without hair and without vision inside the burrow that their parents build.They begin to leave at 9 weeks of age, at which time They are developed and can begin a life independent of their relatives.Between 9 and 11 months the copy is considered to be an adult and that is when it can begin to reproduce.
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