Every night after sundown a little visitor came around our Death Valley camp. Not pesky like a ground squirrel or chipmunk looking for handouts. It didn’t hang around long and try as I might, I could not get a photo of this adorable and amazing creature the Kangaroo Rat. But Jeremy did.
.jpg "Kangaroo Rat under car DEVA NP CA")
Trying to hide
These chubby mouse-sized rodents have long back legs and toes enabling them to hop like a kangaroo. Instead of a pouch on their bellies for babies, the Kangaroo rat has very large cheek pouches that it fills with food then empties by turning them inside out.
.jpg "Kangaroo Rat DEVA NP CA")
Strike a pose
Kangaroo rats can live their entire lives without drinking a drop of liquid. All of the water they need to survive in this arid land can be metabolized within their bodies from the dry seeds they eat. They avoid the intense heat of the day in underground burrows and may even plug the entrance with dirt to keep out heat and intruders. Kangaroo rats reclaim water vapor from their own breath by special membranes in their nasal passages.
Trying to hideThese chubby mouse-sized rodents have long back legs and toes enabling them to hop like a kangaroo. Instead of a pouch on their bellies for babies, the Kangaroo rat has very large cheek pouches that it fills with food then empties by turning them inside out.
Strike a poseKangaroo rats can live their entire lives without drinking a drop of liquid. All of the water they need to survive in this arid land can be metabolized within their bodies from the dry seeds they eat. They avoid the intense heat of the day in underground burrows and may even plug the entrance with dirt to keep out heat and intruders. Kangaroo rats reclaim water vapor from their own breath by special membranes in their nasal passages.
Gaelyn,
These little guys are also the number one food of most western rattlesnakes. Cute shot hiding under the vehicle.
Cute critter, amazingly well adapted. Jeremy did a great job getting a photo!
Thanks for this post. Amazing little creatures.
Cute, and how much their body has adapted to being in a dry region!
Oh what a sweet little rodent. I love.. love..love the feet…
Very interesting about KR. thanks for the info. How well he has adapted to his environment. Lessons learned.
Like your header pic.
MB
Adorable pose, looks like a wind-up toy.
He DOES look like a little wind-up toy! Just needs one of those white knobs on his side. I didn't know those facts about the Kangaroo Rat, Gaelyn. Thanks for sharing.
Cute critter! And he is posing for you, how nice. Great photo.
We also have a kangaroo look a like here in South Africa in our Spring Hares. Something of a cross between a rabbit and a kangaroo. They are nocturnal animals and spend their days in their burrows. One of the farm boys' favorite passtimes are spring hare hunting.
Such a sweet little animal,Gaelyn
I wonder, does Disney know about these critturs?
That is just beyond cool. It's actually amazing how many desert animals can get by without ever drinking… What a weird and wonderful world.
I used to love following the tracks of these rodents in the desert sands.
He is cute. Hard to believe their body has adjusted so well to the desert. Simply amazing. Survival is the key to the so many places.
DF
I wonder if this Kangaroo Rat is also called a "pack rat" – I think they have pouches, too?
Gaelyn: What a neat photo of the neat critter.
I hope he's become a member of the family. Cute little guy.
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How in the world do you know all this stuff? did you already know it or was that one of the things the Ranger Glenn talked about?
What an interesting little creature. I've never knew the existence of Kangaroo rats – thanks for the post.
What an interesting little critter.
Too cute! You must have such an interesting life :o)
Aw, he's cute. Like a hamster with a long tail! I'd feed him, and try to keep him safe from snakes.
I had no idea these creatures were so highly adapted to arid environs. That is one cute little rat.
Something I have never heard of and what an amazing little critter, wow on the water fact!
Oh what a cute little critter! Was it posing for snacks from you guys or just curious?
So interesting… and cute!