Photo credit: John Roser
The Giant Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ingens, is listed as ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. This species is endemic to California in the United States, where it occurs in highly fragmented populations along the southwestern border of the San Joaquin Valley, and in a few nearby valleys to the west.
The Giant Kangaroo Rat population plummeted during the 20th century, mainly as a result of habitat loss as desert areas were converted for agricultural uses. Although the conversion of habitat for agriculture has slowed, only around two percent of this species’ historical habitat remains, and urban and industrial development pose an ongoing threat to these remaining areas.
This species is listed as Endangered by the California Fish and Game Commission and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A Recovery Plan has been developed in an effort to secure the survival of this species, and populations are protected within the Carrizo Plan Natural Heritage Reserve and a number of Federal lands.
Geographic Range of the Giant Kangaroo Rat
Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
To learn more about the Giant Kangaroo Rat, click here. Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.
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