Santa Cruz Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys venustus venustus
Text by Caitlin Bean
Photos by Mark Oatney

Status
Potentially at risk of extinction: recent studies suggest that this subspecies may occur on only one historically documented locality.

Habitat
Silver leaf manzanita chaparral, a vegetation community that occurs within the Zayante sand hills ecosystem.

Background
The Santa Cruz kangaroo rat is a five-toed, narrow-faced, dark-colored heteromyid. The Heteromyidae is a family of long-tailed rats and mice with fur-lined cheek pouches. Species of Dipodomys have large hind feet making them well adapted to jumping locomotion. All species within this taxon are adapted to living in relatively arid environments. In addition, all are nocturnal and primarily granivorous.

Threats
Fragmented habitat, ongoing and historic sand mining, fire suppression, urban development, recreational uses, invasion of exotic species, and cat predation.

Conservation
The one site on which this taxa was documented during recent studies is currently owned by Save the Redwoods League. The intention is to transfer ownership to the California Department of Parks and Recreation in the future. There are heightened concerns about managing this fragile parcel of land. Ongoing research efforts may form the basis of a petition to list the species as Endangered pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act.