Dipodomys ordii

(Woodhouse, 1853)

Vernacular names

English : Ord’s kangaroo-rat
French : Rat-kangourou d’Ord

Classification

Class : Mammalia
Order : Rodentia
Family : Heteromyidae
Notes : 32 subspecies known. Subspecies status still being discussed.

Identification

Adults can reach a body length of 24 cm, a tail length of 12 cm and a weight of 96 g. Large head, small forelimbs, long hindlimbs. Coloration is mostly beige-brown with black hairs on back, belly white. Tail with black and white bands.

Range and habitat

This species occurs in most of western North America, from south Canada to south California and then to Mexico. Mostly found in arid habitats, from sandy deserts to grasslands.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a very large range and remains common to abundant in most parts. No alarming declines recorded in any populations.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known