Dulzura Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys simulans)

The Dulzura Kangaroo Rat is a light brown, large heteromyid that occurs sporadically on the Etiwanda Fan. This species is the largest heteromyid found on the fan. The Dulzura Kangaroo Rat uses a variety of arid and semi-arid habitats on sandy or gravelly soil in southern California south into Baja California. There are 2 races of Dulzura Kangaroo Rat. The local race is D. s. simulans.

Status: Not protected
Habitat: Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, alluvial fan sage scrub, and desert scrub
Diet: Seeds and some insects
Mean* adult body length: 104.0 mm
Mean* adult tail length: 172.1 mm
Mean* adult hind foot length: 37.3 mm
Mean* adult ear length: 16.7 mm

*mean measurement of individuals captured in the San Bernardino Valley by Museum researchers

The graph below shows the activity periods of adults and immatures from 1999 through 2001. The adults are active all year. The immatures are present at different periods each year. Note that immature individuals grow to adult size and molt into adult pelage within a single breeding season.

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