|The Mammals of Texas -
Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat
Rodentia : Family Heteromyidae
: Dipodomys compactus True
Description. A five-toed,
medium-sized kangaroo rat; tail relatively short; pelage
short and coarse; upperparts range in coloration from
grayish to light ochraceous-buff intermixed with black;
cheeks white and soles of feet and dorsal and ventral
tail stripes brownish. Similar in appearance to D. ordii but with shorter tail; shorter and coarser
pelage; and less brownish in coloration. D. compactus
is smaller than D. ordii cranially, particularly
in length of skull and size of mastoid bullae. External
measurements average: total length, 223 mm; tail, 118 mm;
hind foot, 36 mm. Weight, 44-60 g. Dental formula as in Perognathus
Distribution in Texas. Known from most of
South Texas north to Bexar and Gonzales counties; also
known from Mustang and Padre Islands.
Habits. The Gulf Coast kangaroo
rat inhabits sandy, sparsely vegetated soils. On Padre
Island they dwell among the shifting dunes of the barrier
reef and in South Texas are often found on disturbed or
overgrazed areas characterized by sparse, open vegetation
and deep, loose sand.
Their food consists of the seeds of
grasses, annuals, and shrubs. Specific food habits are
Reproductive habits are not well known.
A pregnant female containing two embryos was captured on
23 August, and another female taken on 6 July displayed
two placental scars.
Remarks. In previous editions
this kangaroo rat has been considered conspecific with D.
ordii; however, recent taxonomic work has produced
enough evidence to identify D. compactus as a