Ord’s Kangaroo Rat

By Alejo Appendino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographed by Andy Teucher

Sources: Info http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=164

                                     

http://naturecanada.ca/what-we-do/naturevoice/endangered-species/know-our-species/kangaroo-rat/ COSEWIChttp://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/as_ords_kangaroo_rat_e.pdf 

 

There are many Kangaroo Rats around North America and all are not endangered except one and its name is the Ord’s Kangaroo Rat Although it’s not endangered in the U.S.but it is in canada. There are less than a thousand left in the wild.

The COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) has made a report on this endangered species 

 

“The species requires sand dune habitat, which may disappear over the short term (10 years). The area of occupancy is only about 53 km² There is strong evidence for local adaptations of the Canadian population and a rescue effect is extremely unlikely because the nearest population in the United States is 270 km away” Taken from http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/as_ords_kangaroo_rat_e.pdf in 2006

 

 

Ord’s Kangaroo Rat is a medium-sized nocturnal rodent. It measures roughly 260 mm in length, including the tail, and weighs on average 69 g.

It is the only species of kangaroo rat in Canada.

 

 

Distribution and Population

Ord’s Kangaroo Rat is found in the arid grasslands and deserts of western North America. from the southern Canadian prairies to central Mexico. The Canadian population of Ord’s Kangaroo Rat occurs in two discrete areas: one centred in the Middle Sand Hills along the South Saskatchewan River and the other in the Great Sand Hills. These two areas are separated by an area of land without sand hills. The Canadian population of Ord’s Kangaroo Rat is estimated at between 545 and 1040 K-Rats in early spring, when its numbers are at their lowest. The high summer reproduction and low winter survival of this population means that the population has extreme seasonal fluctuations. However, changes in available habitat strongly suggest long-term population declines.

 

 

 

Habitat

Ord’s Kangaroo Rat prefers open, sparsely vegetated, sandy habitats that facilitate its hopping locomotion and extensive burrowing. Natural habitats consist of actively eroding sand dunes, sand flats, and exposed sandy slopes of valleys in sand hill areas.

 

Threats

Habitat loss and degradation are the main threats to Ord’s Kangaroo Rat in Canada. There Is a loss of 95% of sandy dunes since 2014.

But the main culprit is the industry with oil and gas companies destroying their habitat.

Most Ord’s Kangaroo Rats in Canada survive less than a year, with annual survival rarely exceeding 10%. During the early spring there is almost no Kangaroo Rats alive due to the cold during winter.

 

 

 

Things we are Doing to Save Them

Putting Them In habitats during the winter. Then they release them into a habitat with lots of seeds but closed so we can put them in the safe habitat during the winter