Texas kangaroo rat

The Texas kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elator) is a species of bipedal North American desert rodent. These rodents are characterized by their large heads and eyes, short forelimbs, and long hind legs and feet, which allow them to hop up to 2 meters in a single bound. They possess fur-lined external cheek pouches for carrying food.12

Kangaroo rats are medium-sized, typically weighing between 35 to 180 grams, with a body length of 10 to 20 cm and a tail of similar length. Their fur color ranges from sandy to dark brown, often with white markings. They are nocturnal foragers, subsisting on seeds, stems, buds, fruits, and insects, and obtain most of their water from their diet, rarely needing to drink. They are known to cache food in their burrows for winter sustenance, as they do not hibernate.1

The Texas kangaroo rat specifically constructs burrows in disturbed areas such as fencerows, pasture roads, and around agricultural facilities. Residential and agricultural development has led to habitat loss, imperiling several kangaroo rat species. Kangaroo rats belong to the family Heteromyidae, distinct from true mice.13