| Texas Kangaroo Rats live in only a few counties of north-central Texas, although the species was once also present in Oklahoma. They prefer to live where soils have a high percentage of clay. They are most active on moonless nights, when the dark gives them some protection from predators hunting by moonlight. Those predators include owls, coyotes, bobcats, and domestic cats. Texas Kangaroo Rats have litters of 2-4 young. Most litters are born in late spring and summer, and the young develop rapidly; breeding juveniles have been seen in July and September.
Also known as:
Loring's Kangaroo Rat
Sexual Dimorphism:
Males are larger than females.
Length:
Average:
302.5 mm
Range:
260-345 mm
Weight:
Range:
65-90 g
References:
Merriam, C.H., 1894. Preliminary descriptions of eleven new kangaroo rats of the genera Dipodomys and Perodipus, p. 109. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 9:109-116.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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