Alberta’s Photo here position over top of this box Ord’s (Dipodomys ordii) THE PROVINCIAL MUSEUM OF ALBERTA endangered

Description Distribution status The Ord’s kangaroo rat is a medium- The Ord’s kangaroo rat is found in the western and central United States and as Alberta: Endangered; sized with orange-brown fur on Listed in 2002 its back and white fur on its abdomen, far south as central Mexico. A small northern population, isolated by more Saskatchewan: Sensitive feet and above its large dark eyes. It than 300 km, occurs in the Middle Sand Canada (COSEWIC): measures 20 to 28 cm from the tip of its Special Concern nose to the end of its tail, which can be Hills north of Medicine Hat in USA: Secure (N5); up to 16 cm in length. Its particularly southeastern Alberta, and in the considered common large hind legs, large feet, and long tail, adjacent Great Sand Hills of in many states in as well as its hopping style of southwestern Saskatchewan. which it occurs locomotion have earned the Ord’s The Canadian portion of the distribution kangaroo rat its name. It can jump up to map has been updated with the most 2 metres in a single leap! current available information. The Ord’s kangaroo rat is not closely related to either Habitat or . It belongs to the family , The Ord’s kangaroo rat a group of that is depends on open, sparsely specialized for living in very vegetated sand dunes, which hot and dry environments. are becoming increasingly The kangaroo rat is so well rare in Alberta because they adapted for water require disturbance to persist. conservation that it can Historically, natural prairie survive without drinking water. wild fires and large It is a secretive that such as plains bison avoids predators by relying on its discouraged vegetation from good sense of hearing, escaping growing in these sandy areas. The into underground burrows, and kangaroo rat needs loose, open, being active at night instead of during sandy soils so that it can dig its the day. Even on nights with bright underground burrow and hop quickly moonlight, it prefers to remain in its across the open ground to escape from burrow rather than emerge above predators. ground where predators might easily The Ord’s kangaroo rat eats seeds and see it. Early morning investigations of its prairie plants, which it stockpiles in its sand dune habitat sometimes show the underground burrow. It aggressively telltale signs of its nightly activity: defends its food stash against other scurried, paired footprints, snake-like kangaroo rats and other small mammals, meanderings from its tail, and fresh and is known to use its powerful hind burrows in the sand. legs to lunge at potential thieves. When endangered Ord’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii)

dangerous predators approach, it turns and Conservation Committee (ESCC) kicks sand in the assailant’s face as they flee. recommended that efforts be focused on The Ord’s kangaroo rat has many predators, conservation of existing populations through including owls, snakes, badgers, bobcats, prevention of further habitat decline. , foxes and weasels. Protection of Ord’s kangaroo rat populations will be implemented to ensure no loss of Population important den areas. Long-term monitoring of populations and distribution, and assessment It is difficult to estimate the size of the Ord’s of potential impacts of industrial kangaroo rat population in Alberta because disturbances such as oil and gas they have highly variable reproductive and developments, need to be conducted. survival rates. However, there are probably fewer than 1000 individuals during the early Research is needed to determine if it is spring. Winter is a critical time, because up to possible to mimic historical natural 90% of the population dies as a result of a lack disturbances to encourage erosion and of food and inadequate stored fat, despite the maintain suitable habitat in otherwise fact that they try to save energy by densely-vegetated sand dunes. As well, hibernating during winter. research should be undertaken to evaluate whether human-disturbed habitats such as Threats roadsides can support sustainable populations. There are a number of potential threats to the survival of the Ord’s kangaroo rat in Alberta. When natural habitat is in short supply, it uses What You Can Do To Help sandy habitats such as roadsides, trails or As a member of the public, a land manager, cultivated fields. These alternative habitats or an industrial developer: may provide easier access for predators. • Report any observations (or signs) of the Ord’s Another potential limiting factor is that the kangaroo rat to the office of the Fish and kangaroo rat is often infested with a large Wildlife Division, Alberta Sustainable parasite, called a botfly, that reduces its Resource Development in Medicine Hat, and reproduction and survival. As well, because avoid disturbing areas where this animal the kangaroo rat stays underground during occurs. bright nights, artificial lights presumably reduce foraging opportunities and may • Turn off bright night-time lights where the ultimately leave it without enough stored kangaroo rat may be affected. food and fat to survive the long winter. • Contact wildlife management staff at the Fish and Wildlife Division office in Medicine Hat for Management information on ways that you can minimize There are currently no provincial or national impacts on kangaroo rat populations. recovery plans in place for the Ord’s kangaroo rat. Within one year of the Ord’s kangaroo rat being listed as an “Endangered” , a provincial recovery team, including Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and other relevant agencies and groups, will prepare a recovery plan to set goals, objectives, strategies and management actions needed to guide the recovery of this species over the next five years. The Endangered Species

July 2002 For more information on Alberta’s Species At Risk: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/riskspecies/