Giant Kangaroo Rat

GIANT KANGAROO RAT 

[GENUS DIPODOMYS]
Luany Albarracin Leone

 Description and Ecology of Organism

https://www.exploringnature.org/db/view/Kangaroo-Rat

       The Giant Kangaroo Rat is mainly distinguished from other rats due to its bipedal locomotion (hoping on two hind legs) - hence why it is called the Kangaroo Rat. Its physical attributes are also distinct- it's hind legs are very large and disproportionate, it has a large head but no neck and a long tail for balance while hoping. In addition, the Kangaroo Rat is special because it has fur lined pouches on either side of their mouths meant to help them store nuts and other foods while foraging - this is almost like a Kangaroo pouch that is used for hold food like squirrels do with nuts in their mouths. The Giant Kangaroo Rat can be distinguished from other Kangaroo Rats because it has five toes and is the largest in body mass. 

Kangaroo Rats are secondary carnivore consumers. They primarily eat seeds but can also consume green plants (such as grasses) and some insects. When foraging, Kangaroo Rats collect seeds inside their fur pouches and then place them inside pits in the ground and cover them up with dirt. Furthermore, foraging and other general activities of the Kangaroo happen at night and they keep active all year long - no hibernation despite the collection of food. 

https://www.exploringnature.org/db/view/Kangaroo-Rat

The reproductive process of the Kangaroo Rat usually happens between December and March and is very responsive to climate, food availability, and population density. They have a very efficient life history as they can breed within their first year of life, can have 2-3 litters per year and their gestation period is only 30-35 days. This means that population numbers can rise very quickly. 

When it comes to interactions with other rats Kangaroo Rats can be very aggressive. Nonetheless, they are crucial to certain environments and ecosystems. For example, they serve as significant prey for many species - such as the Kit Fox - and their burrows serve as shelter for Blunt Nosed Lizard and the Antelope Squirrel. As a result, Kangaroo rats are considered Keystone species in grassland and shrub areas

Geographic and Population Changes

http://esrp.csustan.edu/publications/pubhtml.php?doc=sjvrp&file=chapter02H00.html

 Historically, Giant Kangaroo Rats could only be found in grasslands with sandy gentle slopes where they could easily burrow, however, this is no longer the case. Unfortunately, most of the prime habitat for this species also happens to be prime areas for cultivation. As a result, Giant Kangaroo Rats can now also be found in areas of mild shrub communities with steeper slopes. At areas with steeper slopes, the Kangaroo Rats tend of inhabit the Chaparral Yucca plants that grow abundantly. They are also mainly found in areas with little to no flooding which can be a threat to their survival. As a result of cultivation and other fragmentation factors, the Giant Kangaroo Rat population today is split into 6 main regions: Fresno, Kettleman Hills, San Juan Creek Valley, Western Kern County, Carrizo Plain and Cuyama Valley.

http://esrp.csustan.edu/publications/pubhtml.php?doc=sjvrp&file=chapter02H00.html

Listing Date and Type of Listing

On May 5th 1987, the Giant Kangaroo Rat was officially declared "State and Federally Endangered" within the California and Nevada region - USFWS. Today, it is considered endangered wherever found.   

                                      

http://esrp.csustan.edu/publications/pubhtl.php?doc=sjvrp&file=chapter02H00.html

Cause of Listing 

https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2017/05/whos-watching-oil-and-gas-industry-california#.WgLStWWbI_U

               













Until early 1970s there was not much human intervention in the Giant Kangaroo Rat habitat. However, the development of the Central Valley Project as well as the rise of the California Aqueduct and State Water Project resulted in a rise of cultivation and irrigation. The main loss of habitat occurred through 1970 - 1979 main loss of habitat due to cultivation development as well as the increased use of rodenticide-treated grain. Rodenticides such as Compound 1080 were spread over large areas by airplane eliminating large numbers of Giant Kangaroo Rats within the area. In addition to cultivation, petroleum extraction was also a leading cause of habitat destruction. Also, the development of new cities on the edge of Fresno caused further habitat degradation and fragmentation due to the development of roads, highways and energy communication infrastructure.   

Main Threats to Survival

http://departmentofagriculture.blogspot.com/2013/03/agriculture-in-california.html

Although habitat destruction through cultivation has slowed down in the past few year, other urban and industrial development forces have continued to reduce and fragment habitat and its populations. Another problem rises from the lack of habitat management which means that there is a overflow of vegetation density that degrades their environment. Moreover, more isolated populations are under great threat from random catastrophic events such as high or low levels of precipitation. Furthermore, another consistent threat to habitat and Kangaroo Rat survival is the growing petroleum exploration at the Naval Petroleum Preserve #1. 

Description of Recovery Plan

         Full recovery of the Giant Kangaroo Rat species can only be achieved when the three largest populations are protected and managed properly. Kangaroo Rats are keystone species within their local habitat which means that their protection also ensures the safety and well being of many other species of animals and plants in their ecosystem. The main goal of the Giant Kangaroo Rat recovery plan is to protect the existing habitat and key local populations. Unfortunately, our understanding of the distribution demographics and population genetics is insufficient to presume if the species is threatened, therefore, more research in the area is needed. Studied responses to climate and environmental variation shows that random catastrophic events are a major threat to their survival. As a result, protection from this type of problem can be solved by protecting habitat areas with a wide range of habitat conditions. 

Furthermore, it is also important to understand what land uses can provide optimum habitat conditions and determine ways in which to provide incentives for those types of land uses. Especially where the land acquisition is private. 

Here are the steps: 

      1. Appropriate land use and management on publicly owned and conservation lands 

       2. Supporting research on habitat management + restoration (effects of livestock) 

       3. Protection of additional land supporting key populations 

How can this be done? The goal is to protect 90% of natural land on east of California aqueduct and maintain the natural state of the land belonging to the Naval Petroleum reserves

http://departmentofagriculture.blogspot.com/2013/03/agriculture-in-california.html 

                how to prioritize populations 

What can you do?

Its sometimes difficult to take action and make a difference instantly or directly. Therefore, there are not many ways in which you can contribute other than keeping yourself informed about the situation as well as to inform others. It is also important to keep an eye out of potentially illegal rat killing techniques (such as rodenticides). Finally, for those who are avid hikers and campers or just like to be in the wild, make sure to check if the area where you plan on going happens to be a habitat for a Giant Kangaroo Rat Population and try to stay on the manmade path in order to prevent destruction of burrows and other important habitat plants. 

https://sites.google.com/site/sciencegolz/home/environmental-systems-and-societies/biology/one-big-experiment-ecology/lesson-8---food-webs

Other resources

NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological comuntities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.

Bibliography 

Williams, Daniel F. “Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California.” Recovery Plan , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services , 1998, www.fwspubs.org/doi/suppl/10.3996/052015-JFWM-045/suppl_file/052015-jfwm-045.s2.pdf?code=ufws-site+. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys Ingens).” Species Profile for Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys Ingens), ECOS Environmental Conservation Online System, ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A08P.

CSU Stanislaus. “H. Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys Ingens).” Endangered Species Recovery Program, CSU Stanislaus, esrp.csustan.edu/publications/pubhtml.php?doc=sjvrp&file=chapter02H00.html.