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Home/Species/ Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat

Dipodomys spectabilis

Merriam, 1890

Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat

G4Apparently Secure Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Near threatenedIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103225
Element CodeAMAFD03110
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNNear threatened
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyHeteromyidae
GenusDipodomys
Other Common Names
banner-tailed kangaroo rat (EN)
Concept Reference
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-04-16
Change Date2025-04-16
Edition Date2025-04-16
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2025)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
This species is widespread in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern México. The population has suffered historical declines, and continues to be threatened, due to habitat degradation from encroaching shrubs in desert grasslands. It is also threatened increasing temperatures due to climate change.
Range Extent Comments
This species is found in southwestern North America (Best 1988, Oliver and Wright 2010). In the United States, it is found in southern Utah, southern and northeastern Arizona, southeastern and western New Mexico, and western Texas. The range extends south into México to northern Sonora and southern Chihuahua with a disjunct population in Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, and Aguascalientes. Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records, range extent is estimated to be 1,197,564 km² (RARECAT 2025).
Occurrences Comments
There are several hundred occurrences throughout the range.
Threat Impact Comments
This species is threatened by habitat degradation due to invasive plant species, by increasing temperatures due to climate change, and by intense local rains. Populations are often smaller or less dense where encroachment of shrubby plants increased groundcover of desert grasslands (Waser and Ayers 2003, Cosentino 2013, Christensen et al. 2018). Increasing temperatures are expected to reduce overall survival of this species as above-ground and below-ground temperatures exceed what the species can tolerate (Moses et al. 2012). Heavy rains associated with tropical storms caused at least one local extinction by destroying food caches (Valone et al. 1995, Brown et al. 2001).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Prefers dry, gravelly soil of arid or semi-arid grasslands and foothill slopes with scattered mesquite, junipers, or mixed stands of creosote-bush and acacias. When inactive, occupies underground burrow (in open or at base of shrub) in large mound. Young are born in one of several burrow chambers; young share natal burrow with mother for 2-6 months after weaning.

Ecology

Solitary males and females defend territories throughout the year. Home range averaged about 400-700 sq m in New Mexico; usually stayed within 160 m of burrow mound. Density of active mounds was 1.7/ha in central New Mexico (Best 1988). Usually 1 individual/mound except when young present. Mounds usually are rather uniformly spaced. In southeastern Arizona, maximum density (six-month average) was 9-10/ha; up to 26/ha on a monthly basis; a catastrophic population decline occurred after the heavy rains of a tropical storm, which possibly affected seed stores (Valone et al. 1995).

Dispersal distances generally are very short; most individuals breed within one home range diameter of natal site.

Has a strong effect on microhabitat selection by local desert rodent communities (Bowers and Brown 1992) and may impact populations of other rodents (Valone et al. 1995). With other kangaroo rats, affects vegetation structure and plant species diversity in the Chihuahuan Desert (Heske et al. 1993).

Reproduction

Pregnancies have been recorded January-September in north (peak in April), December-August in south (peaks in December, June-July). Litter size is 1-3. Up to 4 litters/year. Gestation lasts about 3-4 weeks. Young in mid-August may be offspring of females born in mid-winter or second litter of year. In southeastern Arizona, juveniles become active above ground mainly March-August, reside in maternal mound for 1-6 months after weaning, mature in 300 days. Reproductive output is highest following summers of heavy rainfall.
Terrestrial Habitats
Shrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceousDesert
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
Navajo NationS3Yes
New MexicoS4Yes
ArizonaS5Yes
TexasS4Yes
UtahS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.2 - Problematic native species/diseasesLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)Moderate - slightHigh (continuing)
11.3 - Temperature extremesPervasive (71-100%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11.4 - Storms & floodingRestricted (11-30%)Extreme - seriousHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (1)
New Mexico (1)
AreaForestAcres
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
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