Cute Endangered Animal: Kangaroo Rat

| Wed Jul. 15, 2009 3:40 AM PDT
2640707219_f7694b75f8.jpg

This week's cute endangered animal is the kangaroo rat. Now you might not think that any animal with "rat" in its name would be cute, or in danger of disappearing, but both are true for several species of kangaroo rats here in the U.S. Despite its name, the kangaroo rat is not actually a rat, but rather a relation the gopher family. Currently, six species of kangaroo rats (genus Dipodomys) are facing extinction. They all live in the Western half of the US, starting in the Dakotas and extending West to California and Nevada, preferring desert habitats. The tiny animals measure just 2" at the shoulder, and like to get around by hopping like kangaroos (as much as 6" a leap!). Kangaroo rats are known for their love of dust baths, for cramming an incredible amount of food into their cheek pouches and, on occassion, for hiding under the crotches of hapless biologists.

The native kangaroo rat was thriving until the 1950s, when a two-tiered threat of agriculture and human development hit them: the farmers carried out pest-control campaigns against the rats (who found newly-tilled soil perfect for burrows), and new roads made it hard for rats to find new habitat. More recently, oil and natural gas exploration has been painted as a possible culprit in a number of rat deaths. Also, given that the rats relate their mating status and territory by thumping their long hind legs on the ground, one can only imagine that development also hinders intra-species communication.

The kangaroo rats' survival is important to environmentalists because the animals are a "keystone species" in their environments. With kidneys four times as strong as humans', kangaroo rats get most of their daily moisture from their food: seeds and nuts. By eating plants with the largest seeds, they allow plants with smaller seeds to flourish, which in turn effects the surrounding insect and bird populations.

Despite their importance to the ecosystem, the federal government has not been pro-active in protecting the kangaroo rat. Just last year, US Fish & Wildlife proposed cutting a California kangaroo rat's protected habitat by about 2/3. Conservation groups said they were going to sue the department, and Fish & Wildlife relented by changing the planned habitat reduction. Scientists said last year that they will use an Israeli satellite to take pictures of the rats habitat which will help them get an accurate population count. Though just how accurate the satellites will be remains unknown. "It's fairly rare for something so small to be a keystone species," UC Berkeley's Tim Bean told USA Today. "It's easier to track, say, bison."

Continues Below

Continued From Above

Get Mother Jones by Email - Free. Like what you're reading? Get the best of MoJo three times a week.

Comments

Cute and Endangered Goats

I'll tell you what's endangered. Those cute, tasty looking goats on my way home from work.

Yum, yum.

I'll tell you what's

tagged as: 

I'll tell you what's endangered. Those cute, tasty looking goats on my way home from work.

.
tiffany jewelry

tiffany and co

replica handbags

Classic handbags should be the ones that are recognizable at the first sight and remind you of something good. Gucci classics should be in your memory, but are they in your real life? Too expensive to afford. The online store Yhandbags offers you a good chance to touch the designer handbags. They have quality guaranteed and prices that you can accept. Jealous of people who can wear Gucci classics but you can't. You jealousy can be stopped at Yhandbags. Have a check out our

  1. replica Gucci classis
  2. and

  3. Gucci replica classics.

Every brand should have its series which represent different styles. Different styles fit different people. One Gucci clutch may not fit you, but there are always other options and other styles. Check out our replica Gucci clutches. We won't let you down, because we ensure you can enjoy high-quality clutch with lowest prices.

No need to be too gorgeous. Plain and simple design can also be different. Maybe nobody knows you when you are among crowded people, but you are always the focus of eyes. Why? Because the shoulder bag you wear is designed by famous people. The extraordinary temperament makes you shine. Replica Gucci shoulder bags in Yhandbags will not let you down, because they prove with their high quality and low prices. Why not check out? Maybe you can find your favorite replica Gucci shoulder bags that can be affordable.

  • The first Louis Vuitton bag was created in the year 1888. With its wonderful designs, certain to set the trend for any given year, and its quality craftmanship, Louis Vuitton handbags will be around for many years to come. Every women is crazy about LV bags, but not every women can have one. Designer replica handbags give you the opportunity to indulge in the latest fashion trends in purses and handbags without spending a lot of money. Check out the great styles and designs at Yhandbags.com. Love the look of Louis Vuitton handbags? Replicas are the way to go for those who can't afford Louis Vuitton prices. What are you waiting for? Just buy one right now! There are 4 series of LV replica handbags in here:
  • LV is the king of popularity. Nobody can deny that. LV clutches and evening bags offer all of you the opportunity to feel its noble temperament. In Yhandbags, you don't have to worry that you can't afford LV any more. Here, you can enjoy whatever design and whatever style. All of our cheap replica handbags have quality and price guaranteed. Don't hesitate to check out our

    1. replica LV clutches,
    2. replica LV evening bags,
    3. LV replica clutches,
    4. LV replica evening bags
    5. and

    6. Lv replica evening bag.

    replica jewelry

  • Again,here we provide replica Chanel bracelet ,
    replica Chanel earrings ,
    replica Chanel necklace,
    take one home right away.
  • Chanel bracelet
    A Chanel jewelry has all that you need to make yourself a lasting fashion statement.
    Chanel is a leader in the world of classic jewelry and is always adored and promoted by the likes of the rich and famous.
    Of the various categories under the brand, the Chanel Bracelet is perhaps the one that has the most multivariate style. Jeweley8.net provide you with diversified
    replica Chanel bracelet in affordable prices, you can enjoy all the fashion style of replica jewelry at small expense.

    Chanel earring

    One to one copy from original Chanel earring, top grade quality guaranteed and extraordinary economical prices make our product outstanding in this field.
    Here you can find all famous replica jewelry,
    expecially classic replica Chanel earring ,
    which are perfect for you all the time, whatever occasion you are in, Chanel earring can make you shinning and sparkling.
    All of our products are provide by the best manufactory in this field, which makes us confident in providing you perfect Chanel jewelry.

    Chanel necklace
    A necklace is not only a piece of jewelry, but also the soul of the dress. And a Chanel necklace is not only the soul of your dress, but also the soul of a person. A classic necklace of Chanel’s makes you upgrade at any possible occasions, centuries goes by and the dream of owning a Chanel jewelry would never fade. You can find all dramatic classic
    replica Chanel necklace here, only they didn’t dreams anymore, the necklaces and all the replica jewelry we provide are at so low prices that everyone may could afford.

    1. Fashion strength is far greater than that Financial Crises. Any time, Gucci always is the center of the fashion design circle. Economic environment still influences your expenditure, but the replica Gucci jewelry can totally let you free ahout the expense,we provide replica Gucci jewelry that are at low price and of high quality.
    2. As we all know, dreams are far away from the reality. If a Chanel classic jewelry is your dream, the distance between them is the high enough price. However, your dream would never be remote anymore. Replica Chanel jewelry on jewelry8 has amazing designs with unbeatable prices. Made of top-class materials, our quality is certain to deserve your trust. If you are a Chanel fan, don't miss such a good opportunity. Please visit our online store and find your replica Chanel and Chanel replica classics.
    3. If you are keen to follow the footsteps of fashion, you should know the always fashion leader brand Chanel and the magic of its products ; if you don't want to spend your entire stockpile on a single piece of jewelry, you should consider our economic replica Chanel jewelry. Brand-new designs and brand-new style will certainly catch your eyes. The most important fact is that you are hard to resist our low prices and excellent quality. So, in order to satisfy you fashion desire, please check out our replica Chanel new arrivals and Chanel replica new arrivals.
    4. If you are searching for designer jewelry of all famous brand, here would be your best solution. On jewelry8.net you can find all kinds one to one imitation jewelry displayed and sold at rather competitive price and of perfect quality, which make us confident in providing you ideal replica jewelry. Check it out on our site and you would see that I am not talking tall.
    5. A Tiffany couple,the most famous and popular sterling silver jewelry, is the best thing to
      witness your long last relationship.Famous and favorite designs, for people who appreciate
      the best. Here we provide one to one imitated replica jewelry include Tiffany couples and other kinds of Tiffany jewelry to fit you unipue taste in the lowest price.

    boots

    Which kind of woman do you want to be?
    Do u have these ten secret weapons?
    IT bag: yves saint laurent,christian louboutin for spring,louis vuitton handbags for Summer,loewe handbags for autumn,Coach handbags or other replica handbags for Winter.
    You have to wear the christian louboutin when you go to parties.When you are on a journey,you should wear a pair of jimmy choo shoes.Nike is very nessisary when you donging sports.You should buy the ugg boots(UGG Classic Short or UGG Classic Tall) for your watery foots.
    gucci bags on sale gucci handbags on sale fendi zucca bag fendi wallets fendi spy replica spring coach bags dolce & gabbana handbags dg handbags dolce handbag hermes handbag discount designer handbags hermes kelly handbag replica chloe handbags loewe handbag miu miu leather bag jimmy choo handbags lancel handbag discount burberry handbags burberry handbag marc jacobs handbags sale marc jacobs stam bag marc jacobs quilted bag handbags by marc jacobs marc jacobs hobo marc jacobs satchel thomas wylde bag thomas bag mulberry handbags valentino purse valentino bag versace purses versace handbag cartier bag cartier wallets givenchy bag handbag luxury bottega veneta handbags bottega handbags dior gaucho handbags christian dior handbag christian handbags balenciaga handbags balenciaga motorcycle bag christian dior handbags louis vuitton wallets louis vuitton purses louis vuitton monogram louis vuitton multicolor louis vuitton monogram canvas louis vuitton alma louis vuitton vernis ysl handbags cheap Ugg BootsReplica Watches replica ugg bootschristian louboutin shoes Women Jeans

    Natrual stone

    rolex

    [url=http://www.watchesview.com]Rolex Watches[/url]
    Rolex Watches

    Ed Hardy is a famous tattoo

    Ed Hardy is a famous tattoo artist and designer that popularized the concept of tattoo as an art. His artistic designs made their way to the fashion and casual clothing industry giving birth to the Ed Hardy line and accessories. The most popular Ed Hardy items are the tattoo art designed Ed Hardy Belts. You can match these casual tattoo belts with your Abercrombie casual wear to emphasize the elegance of your style. So here are some basic tips in choosing the right Ed Hardy belt so you can achieve the perfect casual style.
    coach handbags
    rolex watches

    Designers of fashionable

    Designers of fashionable things make fashion costly and everyone can not afford it. But now they don't have to worry because replicas of designers' products are available in the market. These replicas are not that must costly. Handbag is one of the accessories which designers love to design. These designers handbags are with higher cost and common woman can not afford it. It is nice option for those ladies who can not have enough budgets to buy designers handbags. It is designer replica handbags. Replica handbags are with reasonable price and one can by several replica handbags in the price of one designer handbag.
    fake handbags
    replica chanel
    replica gucci
    replica louis vuitton
    replica handbags wholesale
    replica shoes

    Post new comment

    Alternately, you may login to or register an account
    The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
    • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
    • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <ul> <ol> <li> <blockquote> <img>
    • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

    More information about formatting options

    Photo Essays

    When you dial a 1-900 number, who picks up the phone?
    Meet the KKK's seamstress of hate couture.
    The other side of Gitmo.
    A photographer’s year at Angola Prison.