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California kangaroo rat

Dipodomys californicus

Federal: Endangered, CA: Endangered

Endemic to California, habitat loss from urban development

Small kangaroo rat with long tail and hind-leg adapted body. Nocturnal seed harvester critical for native seed dispersal in Bay Area chaparral.

Plants that support California kangaroo rat

4 plants

California Balsamroot

Balsamorhiza macrolepis

high

perennial herb

Seed collection and caching in fall months

Bay Area native

Creeping Wildrye

Elymus triticoides

high

grass

Seeds cached for winter food storage; caches support winter survival

Bay Area native

Cupido Mariposa Lily

Calochortus uniflorus

moderate

perennial herb

seed collection and storage for winter food caches

Bay Area native

Desert Mallow*

Malacothamnus hallii

moderate

shrub

Seeds cached for winter food stores

Bay Area native