General: Merriam's Kangaroo Rats (Dipodomys merriami) are recognized by their kangaroo-like appearance: they have large hind legs and feet, small front legs and feet, long tufted tails, and they hop on their hind legs like Australian kangaroos. Merriam's is the smallest kangaroo rat species around Las Vegas.

Like real kangaroos, kangaroo rats also have a pouch, or rather, two pouches for carrying things. Kangaroo rats have external, fur-lined cheek pouches that they use to carry seeds and other food items into their burrow for storage. Most animals carry food in their mouth (e.g., dogs and cats) or in their cheeks (squirrels), but kangaroo rats actually have an extra pouch on the outside of their cheeks.

Merriam's Kangaroo Rats are very common in some parts of the desert. In desert flats, almost all of the "snake" holes around the base of bushes are kangaroo rat burrows. They are solitary, and a single individual digs a burrow with a nest chamber and many entrances.

Description: Merriam's Kangaroo Rats are small for kangaroo rats (head and body: 3-4 inches; tail: 5-6 inches; total length to about 10 inches). Color pale yellowish brown above, white below. Tail tuft dark. Hind foot with 4 toes; toes are clearly visible through the hairs. Tail dark with light stripes on the sides; white stripes wider than dark stripes. Around Las Vegas, this is the small, 4-toed k-rat.

Taxonomy: Family: Rodentia (Gnawing animals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and beaver).

Diet: Feeds primarily on dry seeds; also eats some green vegetation when available. Does not require free water; can metabolize water from a diet of dry seeds.

Habitat: Found in great numbers on desert flats and bajadas in the Lower Sonoran (Creosote-Bursage Flats) and Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zones, and fades out in the Upper Sonoran (Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) life zone.

Range: Northwestern Nevada and southeastern California, south and east into northern Mexico. In Nevada, this species is found in lower-elevation desert areas into the northwest corner of the state, and it is widespread and abundant around Las Vegas in the appropriate habitat.

Breeding: Produce several litters of 1-5 pups per year; born January to August.

Comments: Nocturnal and solitary. When excited, kicks sand and drums the ground with its hind feet.

Predation: Everything eats kangaroo rats. Owls are a primary predator, and snakes, kit foxes, coyotes, and bobcats take many. When startled, kangaroo rats often jump straight up into the air some 1-2 feet, then take off flying on two hind feet and a tail. The tail is held out behind for balance and the forelegs are tucked against the chest.