The Giant Kangaroo Rat is a tiny animal which is native to California.
Giant Kangaroo Rats belong to a family of animals known as the 'Heteromyidae'. The Heteromyidae includes other small rodents including: Kangaroo Mice, Pocket Mice and Spiny Pocket Mice.
Where are Giant Kangaroo Rats Found?
These tiny animals are found in California in the United States.
The Giant Kangaroo Rat is found in three different habitats in the wild. These three habitats are: grasslands, forests and deserts.
Giant Kangaroo Rats live in burrows within these habitats. A typical Giant Kangaroo Rat burrow has between two to five entrances, so that they can enter and escape the burrow.
But their habitat is under threat...
What Threats Do Giant Kangaroo Rats Face?
Giant Kangaroo Rats face many threats.
One of the main threats that these animals face is the destruction of their habitat. Their habitats are destroyed for a variety of reasons, which include: human 'development', roads and mining. Other threats to their existence include: mineral exploration and extraction, and energy and water facilities.
The destruction of their habitat is why these animals face extinction...
What Is The Conservation Status Of Giant Kangaroo Rats?
Giant Kangaroo Rats are classed as an endangered species.
Their endangered species status makes them vulnerable to extinction.
What Is The Future For Giant Kangaroo Rats?
It's unclear what the future holds for these cute animals. However, if their habitat keeps being destroyed, then they could become extinct in the future.
According to the last time their population was assessed by the IUCN (their population was last assessed in 2016), the population of the Giant Kangaroo Rat was decreasing and they were classed as endangered.