Family: Heteromyidae, Pocket Mice and Kangaroo Rats view all from this family
Description One of the largest kangaroo rats. Dark buff above; white below. Long tail has prominent white tip preceded by black band; narrow white side stripes extend only two-thirds length of tail; upper and lower stripes grayish black to dusky. Hindfoot has 4 toes. L 12 1/4–14 3/8" (310–365 mm); T 7 1/8–8 1/4" (180–208 mm); HF 1 7/8–2" (47–51 mm); Wt 3 3/8–4 5/8 oz (98–132 g).
Similar Species Banner-tailed is likely to be confused only with Desert Kangaroo Rat, in which bottom tail stripe is absent or pale. Ord’s and Merriam’s Kangaroo Rats are much smaller, with no white tip on tail. Texas and other kangaroo rats are smaller.
Breeding Reproduction may occur throughout year, with possible exception of October–November. Gestation is 22–27 days; 1–3 litters per year. In North, most births occur in April; in South, most in December, June, and July.
Habitat Desert grasslands with scattered shrubs. Scrub or brush-covered slopes, often with creosote bush or acacia on hard or gravelly soil.
Range Southeastern Arizona, most of New Mexico, and w Texas.
Discussion This large kangaroo rat has a spectacularly white-tipped tail. The animal usually lives alone in its impressively mounded burrow system, which may have as many as a dozen openings to provide a convenient retreat from predators. Mound entrances are 4 to 6 inches (100–150 mm) in diameter, and contain numerous chambers and tunnels. Only one animal occupies a mound except when young are present, but a male may defend the mound of a female against another male. There are about 10 storage areas per mound. Most tunnels are within 20 inches (500 mm) of the surface, but usually one, particularly the nest burrow, goes deeper. Tunnels are about 3 inches (80 mm) high and 4 1/4 inches (110 mm) wide; storage areas are 6 to 10 inches (150–250 mm) wide. Old mounds are used for many years; one new mound appeared in three years among 287 existing mounds at one site, and six appeared among 105 in two years at another. About 40 to 95 percent of the mounds may be in use at any one time. The surface temperature above may reach 149°F (64°C), but deep in the mound the temperature remains at about 81°F (27°C). The Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat eats green and succulent plants, and stores many types of seeds in side passages of its burrow. It will also eat some insect material and even rodents. Moonlight greatly decreases its activity. It takes sand-baths. As with other kangaroo rats, it does not hibernate or estivate, but will remain in its burrow during inclement weather. Banner-tails make a peeee sound lasting about a second, and also growl, squeak, squeal, and chuckle. They foot-drum in or near their mounds at night in response to neighbors or in case of a challenge to the mound. Foot-drummingand sand-kicking, along with alert posture and avoidance, help them avoid snake predators. Other enemies include American Badgers, foxes, Bobcats, and great horned and barn owls.
