Kangaroo Rat

Kangaroos are normally available in Australia region. Kangaroo have special characteristic for the animals, have an abdominal pouch to keep their child while running, and walk with leap to step. The smallest kangaroo as little as rat, so they called as rat kangaroo, the big kangaroo have about 500 kg in weight.

Kangaroo rats are about 22 rat species of North American rodents of the genus Dipodomys, family Heteromyidae. They are found in arid areas west of the Missouri River from Canada to central Mexico. Kangaroo rats are stocky animals with long hind legs, short front legs, and a long tail, which is tufted at the tip.

The hind legs are used for hopping In the manner of kangaroos. The small front feet are used to gather food, which is stuffed into two external, fur-lined cheek pouches, each with an opening in the skin near the side of the mouth.

The largest kangaroo rat are 20 cm (8 in) long, plus a slightly longer tail, and weigh up to 140 g (5 oz). The coat is yellowish to dark brown, with white underparts, and a white stripe on each side of the tail.

Kangaroo rats seldom or never drink, obtaining sufficient water from the breakdown of their food. Mating may occur at any time under favorable climatic conditions. Gestation is about 29 to 33 days, with usually 2 to 4 young to litter.