What are kangaroo mice?
Q: What are kangaroo mice?
A: Kangaroo mice are two species of jumping mouse (genus Microdipodops) native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, most commonly found in Nevada.
Q: What is the name "kangaroo mouse" referring to?
A: The name "kangaroo mouse" refers to the species' extraordinary jumping ability, as well as its habit of bipedal locomotion.
Q: How many species of kangaroo mouse exist?
A: There are two species of kangaroo mouse - Pale Kangaroo Mouse and Dark Kangaroo Mouse.
Q: What kind of environment do kangaroo mice live in?
A: Kangaroo mice live in sandy desert ecosystems and forage for seeds and vegetation amongst the scrub brush.
Q: Do kangaroo mice drink water?
A: No, kangaroo mice never drink water; instead they derive it metabolically from the foods they eat.
Q: How deep do their burrows go? A: The burrow entrances that the mouse covers during daylight hours can be excavated to a length between 3 and 8 feet (1 to 2.5 meters).
Q: When are kangaroo mice most active? A: Kangaroo mice are nocturnal, and are most active in the two hours following sunset.
