| Stephen's Kangaroo Rat is endangered, chiefly due to habitat loss. It lives only in isolated populations in three counties of southern California. The Kangaroo Rats maintain a network of aboveground trails that follow the lines of their tunnels and connect burrow openings. Their home ranges average 570-970 square meters, but may be as large as 1,600 square meters. Living in association with this Kangaroo Rat in sparsely vegetated annual grassland and sage-scrub communities are Deermice, Agile and Dulzura's Kangaroo Rats, and Desert Woodrats. Domestic dogs and cats prey on this species, as do owls, coyotes, foxes, and snakes.
Also known as:
Bonsall Relict Kangaroo Rat
Sexual Dimorphism:
None
Length:
Average:
284 mm males; 282 mm females
Range:
280-300 mm males; 277-295 mm females
Weight:
Average:
62 g
Range:
45-73 g
References:
Merriam, C.H., 1907. Descriptions of ten new kangaroo rats, p. 78. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 20:75-79.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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