Dipodomys
| Genus Dipodomys | |
|---|---|
| Range | |
 | |
| Taxonomic classification | |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
| Infraorder: | Castorimorphi |
| Superfamily: | Geomyoidea |
| Family: | Heteromyidae |
| Subfamily: | Dipodomyinae |
Dipodomys is a genus in the family Heteromyidae. It contains species that we commonly refer to as kangaroo rats. Currently, there are 20 recognized species, with 16 species occurring in the United States. Dipodomys gravipes, Dipodomys nelsoni, Dipodomys ornatus, and Dipodomys phillipsii are found in Mexico.
Like all species in the family Heteromyidae, kangaroo rats have external fur-lined cheek pouches, which are visible when viewed from the underside. Hoffmeister (1986) described members of the genus Dipodomys as "small sized rats with long tails, long hind feet, relatively short front feet, greatly inflated auditory bullae, and white underparts. The thigh has a white stripe extending from the flank to the base of the tail, and tail has lateral white stripes with a dark stripe above and often below. Teeth hypsodont." Successful field identification of Dipodomys can, for the most part, be accomplished using a one or more of the following: range, tail coloration (particularly the distal portion), length of ear, length of tail, and number of toes (4 or 5).
Species in the United States
-
Agile Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys agilis) -
California Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys californicus) observed by akerwin70 in Siskiyou County, California. -
Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys compactus) observed by Robby Deans in Boca Chica State Park, Texas. -
Desert Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys deserti) photographed by Kyle Nessen in Mojave National Preserve, California. -
Texas Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys elator) -
Heermann's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys heermanni) -
Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ingens), the largest species of Heteromyidae in North America. -
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys merriami) photographed by Randy Babb. © Randy Babb -
Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys microps) observed by Rick Overson and Laura Steger in the Arizona Strip of northwestern Arizona. © Oversteger Studios -
San Joaquin Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys nitratoides) -
Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) observed by Nick Cairns in Carbon County, Montana. -
Panamint Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys panamintinus) observed by markc666 in Mono County, California. -
Dulzura Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys simulans) -
Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys spectabilis) photographed by Randy Babb. © Randy Babb -
Stephens's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi) -
Narrow-faced Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys venustus) observed by Nicole in California.
Range maps
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Agile Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys agilis) -
California Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys californicus) -
Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys compactus) -
Desert Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys deserti) -
Texas Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys elator) -
Heermann's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys heermanni) -
Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ingens) -
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys merriami) -
Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys microps) -
San Joaquin Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys nitratoides) -
Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) -
Panamint Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys panamintinus) -
Dulzura Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys simulans) -
Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys spectabilis) -
Stephens's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi) -
Narrow-faced Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys venustus) (+D. venustus elephantinus)
Available taxon pages
The following subgenera are available on WhiskerWiki for this genus:
- Subgenus: No information
Brief character comparison
| Species | Toes | Tail tip | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dipodomys agilis | 5 | dusky | medium to large |
| Dipodomys californicus | 4 | white | large |
| Dipodomys compactus | 5 | dusky | medium |
| Dipodomys deserti | 4 | white | large |
| Dipodomys elator | 4 | white | large |
| Dipodomys heermanni | 5 | dusky | medium to large |
| Dipodomys ingens | 5 | dusky | large |
| Dipodomys merriami | 4 | dusky | small to medium |
| Dipodomys microps | 5 | dusky, sometimes tip appears pale | medium |
| Dipodomys nitratoides | 4 | dusky | small |
| Dipodomys ordii | 5 | dusky | medium to large |
| Dipodomys panamintinus | 5 | dusky | medium to large |
| Dipodomys simulans | 5 | dusky | medium |
| Dipodomys spectabilis | 4 | white | large |
| Dipodomys stephensi | 5 | dusky, sometimes tip appears pale | medium |
| Dipodomys venustus | 5 | dusky | large |
References
Hoffmeister, D.F., 1986. Mammals of Arizona. The University of Arizona Press.