Other Small Mammals

Small mammals, sometimes affectionately called "smammals" are usually categorized as weighing less than about 10 lbs, or about as much as a gallon of paint. Small mammals like this black-tailed jackrabbit often make up a low rung on the food chain, and must be constantly alert for danger.

NPS photo

 

Small mammals are a loose grouping that often contains rodent, rabbits, and squirrels among others, and this varies by region. In case you are wondering, this page is not called "Rodents" because rabbits are not rodents! Often, these small mammals make up a low rung of the food chain and are pursued by larger predators or snakes. This endless hunt requires many of these animals to reproduce many offspring very quickly. Predator and prey species are locked into a dance of population control, and seasonal cycles of high and low prey populations are observed. For many of these animals, life is short and fast paced, evading danger, finding food, and reproducing, but they make up a crucial part of this ecosystem.

 

 

NPS photo

Kangaroo rat (Dipodomys sp.)

Kangaroo rats are distinguished, small rodents that can be seen hopping through shrubs, along trails, and across roads, mostly at night. These well adapted rodents very rarely drink water, and instead digest seeds in such a way that water is extracted, and small amounts created. Kangaroo rats are hunted by snakes, owls, coyotes, and foxes.

Identify this Animal

Kangaroo rats vary in size and appearance depending on species, but are generally dusky brown to orangish-brown, with white bellies, and black facial markings and tail tip. The kangaroo rat has long back legs for moving about, while the short front legs are used for handling food and grooming. The tail is long and provides the rodent balance and midair steering during long jumps.

 

NPS photo

Desert woodrat (Neotoma lepida)

Desert woodrats are also known as packrats because they tend to collect garbage, dropped items, artifacts, and plants to line their nests or “middens”. Desert woodrats collect items and “glue” them together within their den with their mineral rich urine that will crystalize around the object. These rodents are an unexpected resource to archaeologists and other researchers, as middens are reused and built up over many generations. Some well-preserved items recovered from packrat middens date back thousands of years, providing a detailed look into what and who inhabited this area long ago.

Identify this Animal

Desert woodrats are about the size of a large grapefruit. They have short gray-brown fur with a lighter belly and paws. Packrat tails are short at around half their body length, covered in short bristly hair. Eyes are black and beady, while the ears are large and alert. Middens may be marked with a suspicious looking pile of cholla joints, fixed in place by the packrat for protection from predators.

 

NPS photo

Black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)

Black-tailed jackrabbits are hearty desert dwellers. Their large, sensitive ears play important roles as an alert system and in heat regulation. Blood vessels close to the surface of the ears radiate body heat to help cool the animal. Jackrabbits will rest under the shade of a shrub or tree and can be easily spooked. They are sometimes mistaken for a fox rather than a rabbit because of their long legs and horizontal posture while running.

Identify this Animal

Housecat sized jackrabbits are typically seen alone picking through sparse brush in search of food. The fur is brown with black markings and covers the lean body. Ears are long and alert, and eyes are attentive. When alarmed, jackrabbits will identify the threat and bolt away at high speeds, propelled by their long, springboard-like rear legs.

 

NPS photo

Desert cotton tail (Sylvilagus audubonii)

The desert cottontail is commonly sighted at dusk or dawn by hikers and campers in the monument. The cottontail is prey to almost every carnivore from snakes to mountain lions and must reproduce frequently to maintain populations. A pair of cottontails may produce several litters a year. Young are born helpless but mature quickly and become independent at three weeks of age. Cottontails get most of their water from vegetation and dew and make the most of the food they consume by re-ingesting their feces to extract any remaining nutrients.

Identify this Animal

Dessert cottontails are a typical “bunny”. Small, round, and fluffy with short ears and large dark eyes. The fur is a light brown, and the puffy white tail stands out. When startled, cottontails prefer to hide rather than run, and may quickly dash under a thick bush or into a burrow. Cottontails are social and can occasionally be seen tussling and chasing each other.