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Home/Species/ Dulzura Kangaroo Rat

Dipodomys simulans

(Merriam, 1904)

Dulzura Kangaroo Rat

G5Secure Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103826
Element CodeAMAFD03170
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyHeteromyidae
GenusDipodomys
Concept Reference
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 2005. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Third edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Two volumes. 2,142 pp. [As modified by ASM the Mammal Diversity Database (MDD) at https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html]
Taxonomic Comments
Dipodomys simulans formerly was regarded as conspecific with D. agilis.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-07-15
Change Date1997-09-17
Edition Date2025-07-15
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G. (1997); rev. R. L. Gundy (2025)
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank Reasons
This species is widespread in southern California and Baja California. Many California populations probably have been lost due to urbanization.
Range Extent Comments
This species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern México. It is found in southern California, Baja California Norte, and Baja California Sur (Sullivan and Best 1997). Range extent is estimated to be 224,473 km² (GBIF 2025, RARECAT 2025).
Occurrences Comments
Applying a 5 km separation distance to Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records from 2000-2025, 175 occurrences are estimated (RARECAT 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Many populations in southern California probably have been extirpated or depleted due to urbanization and related habitat destruction (Sullivan and Best 1997). Paved roads fragment habitat and are actively avoided by this species (Brehme et al. 2013).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Open grassland and chaparral communities in southern California, desert to coniferous forest in Baja California; with few exceptions, occurs in lowland-scrub and coastal mountain habitat below about 800 m (Sullivan and Best 1997). Prefers easily excavated sandy or gravelly soils for constructing burrows. Typically on steep slopes. Increases in abundance following fires that create open space (Price and Waser 1984). Nests are in underground burrows.

Reproduction

No information available, but probably produces an average of 2 young per litter.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralDesert
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentSmall (1-10%)Extreme - seriousHigh (continuing)
1.1 - Housing & urban areasSmall (1-10%)Extreme - seriousHigh (continuing)
4 - Transportation & service corridorsSmall (1-10%)Serious - moderateHigh (continuing)
4.1 - Roads & railroadsSmall (1-10%)Serious - moderateHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (1)
California (1)
AreaForestAcres
Cactus Springs BSan Bernardino National Forest3,106
References (37)
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