This type of mouse resembles a miniature kangaroo, which is why it is often referred to as the “kangaroo mouse.” However, it is completely unrelated to the kangaroo of Australia. The scientific name for the waterless mouse is Dipodomys deserti, which belongs to the rodent family.
This desert mouse has large hind legs and feet, with the hind legs being longer than the front ones, allowing them to jump great distances. They primarily move by hopping. They use their long, thick tail (in relation to their body) to maintain balance and steer while jumping quickly.
Kangaroo mice are nocturnal creatures. Unlike house mice, they do not live in groups. Each Dipodomys deserti digs its own burrow and quietly lives alone inside. They only pair up during the breeding season.
Each burrow they dig has 6 to 12 entrances. During the day, they block all these entrances, only to open them wide at night. Their burrows can be as deep as 1.5 meters and have separate chambers for food storage and sleeping. During the hot days, kangaroo mice sleep underground and venture out at night when it is cooler to forage for food.
Their diet mainly consists of small seeds from various plants found in the desert. Additionally, they also consume leaves, stems, and insects. Due to the scarcity of food in the desert, they must travel long distances each night to find sustenance.
Although they are not related to Australian kangaroos, they do have pouches, but not for carrying young; instead, these pouches are used for storing food. The Dipodomys deserti has cheek pouches (inside their mouths). Interestingly, these pouches can be used to store food for several weeks.
Living in the extremely arid deserts of the Southwestern United States and the extreme Northwest of Mexico, Dipodomys deserti does not seem to mind the harsh conditions. On the contrary, they have developed some truly unique adaptations. Thanks to their ability to extract water from food and maintain hydration, they rarely need to drink water. Their kidneys are four times more efficient than those of humans. If food is abundant, they can live their entire lives without needing to drink.
The desert Dipodomys deserti is a small but clever creature. Whenever they sense danger, they stand back, thumping their feet on the ground to create noise and even kicking up dust towards suspicious objects. However, they still fall prey to wolves, badgers, snakes, and owls.
The breeding season for the desert Dipodomys deserti occurs from February to June. After a gestation period of about 30 days, females give birth to 2-5 offspring. The mother only needs to care for the young for a few weeks, after which the young can become independent.
An adult Dipodomys deserti measures about 16 cm in length, with a tail that is approximately 21 cm long, and weighs around 136 grams. Their lifespan ranges from 3 to 5 years.
