But while a scientific review panel originally concluded that additional critical habitat should be designated for San Bernardino kangaroo rats, the U. Fish and Wildlife Service, under pressure from development and mining interests, has repeatedly attempted to undermine this desert dweller's future by removing hard-won protections. In October , the Service in fact slashed the species' critical habitat by a shocking 76 percent.
Contact Privacy Policy Site Map. All Rights Reserved. Santa Barbara Wild! Volunteer We need your help! Join our list of dedicated, fun-loving, adventurous volunteers today. Read more Wild Things Each month, we highlight our region's unique plants and animals. Click to learn more Sargent Cypress! Kangaroo Rat: From Endangered to Threatened. Email Address. Select Year The situation for the San Bernardino kangaroo rat is even more dire, with only a few isolated populations remaining.
Our Conservation Genetics team is conducting range-wide studies for both species to examine isolation between populations and assess their viability. A low degree of connectivity could mean that individuals are unable to find mates and move safely between habitat areas.
Kangaroo rats play an important in the ecological communities in which they live. Specifically, they influence plant growth by feeding on and dispersing seeds and digging burrows in the soil.
This contributes to the overall health of their ecosystem. They are also prey for numerous predators, including barn owls, burrowing owls, snakes, and coyotes.
0コメント