DRAFT Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Manual

on little or no water, getting all necessary fluids from the foods they eat. To conserve water, they are nocturnal Four types of kangaroo rats in the San Joaquin Valley are (active at night) and remain in underground burrows during listed, or candidates for listing, as Endangered or the hottest parts of the day. They also conserve water by Threatened. There are also types that are not listed or releasing highly concentrated urine and very dry scat candidates for listing. If you see signs of a kangaroo , (droppings). assume it is listed as Endangered or Threatened until it Most kangaroo rats require uncultivated, arid (dry) can be identified. grasslands or shrublands to survive. They are often found Kangaroo rats are small that do not look anything in sandy areas of alkali sinks and grasslands. Kangaroo like the common black or Norway rat thought of as typical rat burrows often have an "apron" (excavated soil) in front "rats". Kangaroo rats look like gerbils with long tails. In of the entrance. Their scat resembles black barley seeds general, they are buff and white in color with a white stripe without the groove. The scat is rounded on both ends, across the hips. They have short front legs, strong hind rather than pointed as in other species. Streaks, in legs with large feet (for hopping), fur-lined cheek pouches, loose dirt, that look like they were made by a tiny whip are rounded heads, and long tufted tails (see photo). At night, tail-drag marks. they can be seen crossing roads in desert regions, Kangaroo rats store seeds; a few seeds may sprout before hopping about in kangaroo fashion. they can be eaten. Blunt-nosed leopard lizards (an These small are well-adapted for life in harsh, Endangered species) use burrows for semi-arid or very dry desert regions. Kangaroo rats survive protection. Most kangaroo rats require uncultivated, arid (dry) (DIPODOMYS INGENS) grasslands or shrublands to survive. They are often found Federal/ status: Endangered/Endangered in sandy areas of alkali sinks and grasslands. Kangaroo rat burrows often have an "apron" (excavated soil) in front of the entrance. Their scat resembles black barley seeds without the groove. The scat is rounded on both ends, rather than pointed as in other rodent species. Streaks, in loose dirt, that look like they were made by a tiny whip are tail-drag marks. Kangaroo rats store seeds; a few seeds may sprout before they can be eaten. Blunt-nosed leopard lizards (an Endangered species) use kangaroo rat burrows for protection. Description The giant kangaroo rat is the largest of all the kangaroo rats in the San Joaquin Valley, weighing 5 or 6 ounces. Total length is about 13 inches (325 mm), including over 7 inches (175 mm) of tail. The giant kangaroo rat has a light brown tuft on the end of the tail, and five toes on the hind Four types of kangaroo rats in the San Joaquin Valley are foot. listed, or candidates for listing, as Endangered or Threatened. There are also types that are not listed or Range/distribution candidates for listing. If you see signs of a kangaroo rat, Within the project area, scattered populations of this assume it is listed as Endangered or Threatened until it kangaroo rat can be found in the foothills of Fresno, Kern, can be identified. Kings, and Merced counties. Kangaroo rats are small rodents that do not look anything Photo: © Rosalie Faubion like the common black or Norway rat thought of as typical "rats". Kangaroo rats look like gerbils with long tails. In Photos general, they are buff and white in color with a white stripe across the hips. They have short front legs, strong hind legs with large feet (for hopping), fur-lined cheek pouches, rounded heads, and long tufted tails (see photo). At night, they can be seen crossing roads in desert regions, hopping about in kangaroo fashion. These small mammals are well-adapted for life in harsh, semi-arid or very dry desert regions. Kangaroo rats survive on little or no water, getting all necessary fluids from the foods they eat. To conserve water, they are nocturnal (active at night) and remain in underground burrows during the hottest parts of the day. They also conserve water by releasing highly concentrated urine and very dry scat (droppings). 14