One of over twenty species of kangaroo rat, the federally endangered giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) is found only in small pockets in central California. These burrowing animals create extensive underground tunnels and rely on open space for their homes; they are often driven out–leading to population crashes–by developments, etc. They are protected by places such as the Carrizo Plain National Monument, where this individual was photographed. Kangaroo rats like the giant kangaroo rat are considered keystone species in their habitats, meaning that they are crucial to the health and stability of the entire ecosystem in which they live.
Email me about this image: