BajaNomad

Mouse Wars of Gecko: Part Duex, "Dipodomys Shimodomys"

Santiago - 6-10-2012 at 08:00 AM


A few years ago I reported on the state of Dipodomys merriami in Camp Gecko, an especially mousy environment a few miles south of the town of Bahia de los Angeles. Since then I have not seen or caught one in my Hava-a-hart live critter trap.
Last week , my buddy and I are enjoying a glass of wine and some trail mix, watching the early night star-lit sky before the moonrise. I reach down to my side for another bit of trail mix and grab something furry, my resulting scream shattering my wine glass and sending Oliver scurrying for cover. For the next 30 minutes Oliver would come back and fill his cheeks with goodies and take off for home. When we woke in the morning, the bowl was spotless clean.
As we are easily amused, this became the evening's entertainment for the next few nights.
There are at least 4 species of kangaroo rats and numerous sub-species in Baja and cover almost all the climate ranges, becoming rare above 4500'. Most are merriami but some are the San Diego kangaroo rat, especially in the northern parts of Baja. There is one species just in the San Quentin area, but in general, the kangaroo rats in baja are merriami or some subspecies. They are real hard to tell apart when alive.
The name 'Oliver' was selected as he always came back for more.

For those of you interested in this sort of stuff, search for LM Huey's book, published in the early 1950s. Copies are available from Amazon and I think the San Diego Natural History Society has a copy online.

Skipjack Joe - 6-10-2012 at 08:31 AM

Kangaroo rats are soooooo cool!

Marc - 6-10-2012 at 02:52 PM

I had visits from a pair of them. One much larger than the other and with a crooked tail. We named them Mutt & Jeff. This was years ago. 1998??

David K - 6-11-2012 at 01:03 AM



On Shell Island, October, 2009.

Debra - 6-11-2012 at 02:53 AM

I think I know that critter! Several years ago while staying at what is now your casa, She visited myself, Brendan, and my G-daughter Payton, Mike and Mary Ann were there also having dinner. Your critter can be down-right rude! While sitting on the porch nearest the kitchen she would come up and clean up our mess (I tried not to let Mike and MA know she was there and I was giving her goodies) pretty soon the little Imp was letting me know she was back for more by touching my toes, (yes, I'm bad, really, REALLY Bad..........)I snuck into the cabin a found some crackers to put out back, I knew she was feeding babies, I didn't keep feeding her after that, she did try again but, I refused and she respected my space, I didn't see her after that night, guess she must have told her offspring though since they are now visiting you?

Don't tell anyone, but, I also fed the coytes.....but, I did it wayyyyyyyyy, waaaaaaaaaaaaaay up in the canyon, but, that's another story.

woody with a view - 6-11-2012 at 03:23 AM

ever hear of hantavirus? those mice can turn into an infestation real quick!

Debra - 6-11-2012 at 03:30 AM

your'r right woody, I though of the err of my ways, and stopped

woody with a view - 6-11-2012 at 03:44 AM

after the novelty wears off and they start bringing their buddies around try one of these. peanut butter works like a charm with 3 inches of water in the bucket.

Debra - 6-11-2012 at 03:47 AM

not nice

paranewbi - 6-11-2012 at 04:51 AM

With the value of water in Baja...this is sort of like the sacrificial offerings made by the Mayan in throwing humans in their Cenotes...but I guess you could still wash your car with the rank water in the bucket.

How much for one of those Woody? Do you accept PayPal?
Would you make one with my beer can plane from San Felipe?

larryC - 6-11-2012 at 06:32 AM

Jim
Maybe if you are really lucky your little pal didn't leave you a few extra "raisins" in your trail mix.

[Edited on 6-11-2012 by larryC]

Martyman - 6-11-2012 at 08:00 AM

We have what looks like the house mouse (Mus musculus) up at our place away from the beach. The kangaroo rats stay down by the beach??

woody with a view - 6-11-2012 at 09:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by paranewbi
With the value of water in Baja...this is sort of like the sacrificial offerings made by the Mayan in throwing humans in their Cenotes...but I guess you could still wash your car with the rank water in the bucket.

How much for one of those Woody? Do you accept PayPal?
Would you make one with my beer can plane from San Felipe?


if they are beach mice perhaps they appreciate the fine nuances of seawater?:light:

AmoPescar - 6-11-2012 at 10:06 AM

That was a FUNNY story!!

Our family had a funny critter encounter 2 years ago. We were all sitting on my brothers patio for a BBQ. When the BBQ lid was opened up a RAT jumped out and scurried across my son's feet and made his getaway. It startled/scared him and he yelped loudly and jumped up knocking over his patio chair and spilling his soda and snacks.

You had to be there, but it was SO FREAKING FUNNY...we couldn't stop laughing!!!


Miguelamo :biggrin: :tumble: :biggrin::bounce:

Santiago - 6-11-2012 at 06:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
Jim
Maybe if you are really lucky your little pal didn't leave you a few extra "raisins" in your trail mix.

[Edited on 6-11-2012 by larryC]

Believe me, he got all of the rest of them and while he left the bowl squeaky clean, we soaked it in bleech. However, having spent many hours in mouse labs in college, I don't ever recall droppings close to the food source. Not taking any chances, however.

Santiago - 6-11-2012 at 06:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
We have what looks like the house mouse (Mus musculus) up at our place away from the beach. The kangaroo rats stay down by the beach??

Every house mouse (you're right, it is Mus musculus - I'm sure you had to look that one up) I catch I carry up to your place and let it loose. Some times we have had too much beer and make more room for more on your front door.
Actually, I've never caught a Mus, I think I will set my Hav-a-hart next to your place next time.

Santiago - 6-11-2012 at 06:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
ever hear of hantavirus? those mice can turn into an infestation real quick!

WWV: At least in the southwest, this was associated with the deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus. While these mice are found in almost all climate zones, I have yet to trap one in Baja.
One of the points of my post was that for 2 or 3 years, I have not trapped ANY mice. One of the reasons may be that an uphill camp member loves to shoot them with pellet guns, but hasn't been around much. Predation may be dropping. We did spot an owl one evening.

woody with a view - 6-11-2012 at 06:59 PM

i only know the difference in mickey and minnie.

Kangaroo Rats

Gypsy Jan - 6-11-2012 at 08:37 PM

(Apologies for the length of this post, but I studied kangaroo rats in an academic evironment a long time ago and I have a fondness for the species. There are no recorded cases of the kangos carrying hantavirus and they are a very valuable and important part of our environment.)

From Creation Magazine, by Paula Weston

"Despite its name and hopping gait, the kangaroo rat actually has more in common with a camel than with its much larger marsupial namesake.

The kangaroo rat is a rodent, but it is unlike any other rodent on Earth: it is able to survive in the desert with virtually no drinking water.1 The camel is the only other mammal that can match this feat, and yet the kangaroo rat looks nothing like the “ship of the desert”.

This humble creature lives in the desert regions of North America. They have a large head and eyes, short forelimbs and long hind limbs, and a body that ranges in length from 10 to 16 cm (4 to 6.5 in).1 They can jump up to 1.8 m (6 ft) in a single leap.

Like its marsupial namesake, the kangaroo rat balances on its hind legs and hops. But that’s where the similarity ends. Kangaroo rats live in burrows by day, foraging by night for seeds, leaves and other vegetation, and carrying food in their cheek pouches to store in their underground homes.1 They also occasionally eat insects.

But how is it possible to live with virtually no drinking water? What makes the kangaroo rat different from other mammals, which would die within days in the desert without water? The answer lies mainly in the rat’s kidneys. Research has shown that the kangaroo rat produces the most concentrated urine of all mammals, and only passes a few drops per day.2

Humans drink a lot of water, and also gain moisture through food. As such, our urine is quite dilute. Kangaroo rats, on the other hand, take in very little water and so produce urine that is even more concentrated than that of the camel (which also concentrates its urine to survive without water).3 This means that the kangaroo rat loses little water in its urine.

Scientists have marvelled at how the kangaroo rat’s kidney works. The study of this organ—in particular the Loop of Henle, which enables the concentration process to take place—has led to a better understanding of how human kidneys work.4 The kangaroo rat’s Loop of Henle is much longer than that of other rodents. This suggests that the kangaroo rat’s amazing ability to survive in deserts may be an adaptation from an original created rodent kind.5

he kangaroo rat’s behaviour and habitat complement its physiological features. The rat’s nocturnal lifestyle helps keep its body temperature down, which minimizes water loss. During the day, the rodent keeps cool from the searing desert heat by remaining in underground burrows.2 The high humidity of the burrow also reduces the amount of water lost through breathing.

Moreover, kangaroo rats have a cooling system in their nasal passages that reduces moisture loss. The rats keep their nasal passages at a lower temperature than their core body temperature. Air exhaled from the lungs cools as it passes through the nose. This causes water vapour picked up from the lungs to condense on the inside of the nose, where it is reabsorbed back into the body.2 Air conditioners dry the air in a room in the same way.

The kangaroo rat’s body temperature normally exceeds that of its environment. This also reduces the need for evaporative cooling (sweating), because the animal can radiate heat. Kangaroo rats have sweat glands only in their feet.2

Kangaroo rats are amazing creatures with incredible features that enable them to survive in their desert habitat. They are certainly wonders of creation.

Kangaroo rat facts

No-one has found fossils that show a sequence of change from a non–kangaroo-rat ancestor to the kangaroo rats. The only fossils found were clearly already kangaroo rats and these almost certainly formed after the Flood.6
There are 59 species in the kangaroo-rat family, which includes so-called “pocket mice”. These may all have come from an original kind created by God on Day 6 of the Creation Week (Genesis 1:24).
Kangaroo-rat young are known as pups.7
Kangaroo rats commonly “dust bathe” after foraging (elephants also dust bathe). They must dust bathe regularly or their fur becomes matted and sores may develop on their backs.7
The rats also “footdrum”, beating their hind feet against the ground. This perhaps deters predators, specifically snakes, or it could advertise the kangaroo rat’s territory.7
They have many more facial muscles than most other mammals. Night photography has revealed that the 42 pairs of facial muscles are used to help the nocturnal kangaroo rats “feel” their way in the dark. As they hop on their back legs, the whiskers keep in contact with the desert surface, enabling the foragers to feel their surroundings.8"

Footnotes

1. Kangaroo rat, Encyclopaedia Britannica 2002. Back

2. Osmoregulatory adaptations of the kangaroo rat, <people.hofstra.edu/faculty/peter_c_daniel/

3. Animal_Physiology/special_topics_fall2001/Temperature/camels/page4/>, 8 December 2003. Back (1) Back (2) Back (3) Back (4)
4. Kidneys and concentrated urine, <www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/anphys/1999/Blackwell/Kidney.htm>, 8 December 2003.

4. Smith, E. Norbert, Ph.D., Kangaroo rats; multiple nightmares, <www.godofcreation.com/essays/display.asp?ind=41>, 8 December 2003.

(Editor's note: The created rodent ancestor of kangaroo rats could have had the genes for a variety of lengths of the Loop of Henle. Natural selection could then have concentrated the genes for long length, resulting in rapid adaptation to an extreme desert environment. Alternatively, a developmental control gene that regulates the length of the loops could have mutated, resulting in it switching off later, causing longer loops. Such changes do not involve adding new complex genetic information and so could have happened naturally, within the limits of the kind created by God on Day 6 of the Creation Week.)

5. Fossils exist in rocks designated as “Pliocene”, which mostly have the hallmarks of being post-Flood.

6. Connolly, F., University of California, Heermann’s Kangaroo Rat,
<animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/dipodomys/d._heermanni$narrative.html>, 16 February 2004.

7. Smith, E. Norbert, Ph.D., Kangaroo rats; multiple nightmares,
<www.godofcreation.com/essays/display.asp?ind=41>, 8 December 2003

[Edited on 6-12-2012 by Gypsy Jan]

Santiago - 6-11-2012 at 09:36 PM

GJ: I first came across these in 1976 while setting live trap lines in the Panoche hills in west Fresno County, where now I-5 has a large off ramp service area at Panoche Road. If you take this exit and travel a few miles west, you drive thru the Panoche water shed valley. We caught D. hermini (Herman's K.R.) and the rare D. Ingins (Giant K.R.). D.Ingins is large, maybe 6" long and would be all bound up in our small traps.
10 years ago I drove this area and was surprised to see it all being farmed; the death of ingins as they do not cohabit with farming. That would leave the western Kern Country where there is a preserve that will probably keep them safe - after that, there is no hope for them.
Like you say, I have never known them to be associated with the huntavirus; however, I've been out of the loop for many years now.

From the San Diego Zoo - Kangaroo Rats Get Home Improvement

Gypsy Jan - 6-11-2012 at 09:59 PM

http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2011/02/15/kangaroo-rats-get-ho...

By Maryke Swartz

– February 15, 2011Posted in: Animal Stories, Animals and Plants, Conservation, Conservation at the Zoo, Plants, Projects in the Field, Uncategorized

"Seedlings are protected by plastic sheathes as part of kangaroo rat habitat restoration.

Stephens’ kangaroo rats are adapted to live in native grasslands. After successfully translocating 150 kangaroo rats in September 2010 (see SKRs Get TLC), it was time to start restoring their habitat. This meant planting. And I’m not talking about a leisurely day in the garden. I’m talking 10,000 plants! Each plant required a blue “plant protector” to shield it from the wind and water loss. We also dug a basin around each seedling so that when it rains, the plants get the most rain for their buck.

Prior to the translocation, we got the site “kangaroo rat ready” by opening up the space by removing thick, exotic grasses using three management techniques: burning, mowing, and sheep grazing. We applied each of these techniques to our six experimental plots. Although we know that this will work in the short term, we need help to remove invasive grasses for the long-term and keep the habitat open for the kangaroo rats. Therefore, we are establishing native bunch grasses to help out-compete the invasive grasses. These plants will also provide cover for the kangaroo rats, so they can avoid predators, as well as supply a delicious food resource for our seed-eating rodents. We only restored half of our plots to determine if this is truly beneficial for the kangaroo rats.

I’m happy to say that with the hard work of the Applied Plant Ecology Division of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, the staff at Lake Skinner Reserve, San Diego Zoo and Institute volunteers, and California Department of Forestry prison fire crews, we finished planting! We will continue to water the plants monthly and monitor the kangaroo rats. Will this plant enhancement increase survival for the kangaroo rats? Only time and monitoring will tell…"

Maryke Swartz is a senior research technician at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research