kangaroo rat
Desert jumping mouse
A kangaroo rat is a small rodent native to North American deserts, named for its powerful hind legs and hopping locomotion.
These nocturnal creatures can survive without drinking water, obtaining moisture from seeds.
Despite the name, kangaroo rats are not related to kangaroos or true rats.
Expandable oral storage compartments
- seedsPlant embryos in casings
- storageSpace for keeping goods
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
- larderCool food storage room
harvest · provisions · reserve · stockpile · foraging · mesquite · acacia · pantry
Animal's dug dwelling
- aridDevoid of water
- sandFine rock particles
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
survival · Sonoran · Mojave · extreme · heat · sparse · habitat · camouflage
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
- darknessTotal absence of light
- owlsNocturnal birds of prey
predators · foraging · dusk · twilight · crepuscular · cool · activity · starlight
cheek pouches
Expandable oral storage compartments
larder · harvest · provisions · reserve · stockpile · foraging · mesquite · acacia · pantry · winter
burrow
Animal's dug dwelling
adaptation · survival · Sonoran · Mojave · extreme · heat · sparse · habitat · camouflage · xerophyte
nighttime
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
- darknessTotal absence of light
owls · predators · foraging · dusk · twilight · crepuscular · cool · activity · starlight · eyes
bipedal
Having two feet
jump · hind legs · locomotion · bounce · propel · escape · zigzag · agility · powerful · saltation
gnawing
Persistent biting action
fur · mammal · tufted · large eyes · long tail · small · solitary · territorial · drumming · feet
- Heteromyids
- Jumping Rodentsjerboa, jumping mouse
- desert lifecamel, cactus, scorpion, rattlesnake, sidewinder
- desert thingssand, cactus, cacti, camel, dune
- rodentsmouse, rat, guinea pig, squirrel, mice
- Jumpersfrog, grasshopper, flea, rabbit, hare
kangaroo ratbeaver
Dam-constructing aquatic rodent
muskrat · water vole · hippopotamus · otter · capybara
kangaroo ratpolar bear
Large white arctic mammal
penguin · rainforest frog · arctic fox · seal · salmon
kangaroo ratmole
Subterranean insectivore
naked mole rat · snake · pocket gopher · sloth · beaver