ITIS Basic Information
Common Name: Stephens' Kangaroo Rat
Scientific Name: Dipodomys stephensi
Species Code: DIPSTE
Management Category: SO (significant occurrence at risk of loss)
Occurrence Map

Historically present
Between 2000 and
Last 10 years
Table of Occurrences
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Species Information

MSP Species Background

Goals and Objectives

Goal: Protect, enhance, and restore Stephens’ kangaroo rat occupied habitat and historically occupied habitat and the landscape connections between them to create resilient, self-sustaining populations that provide for persistence over the long-term (>100 years).

regional and/or local NFO 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 SO
MON-IMP-IMG DIPSTE-1

Management units: 5, 9

Inspect extant Stephens’ kangaroo rat occurrences on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table) using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threats covariate data to determine management needs.

Action Statement Action status Projects
IMP-1 Based upon occurrence status and threats, determine management needs including whether routine management or more intensive management is warranted. available for implementation
IMP-2 Submit project metadata, monitoring datasets and management recommendations to the MSP Web Portal. available for implementation
Criteria Deadline year
Surveys Completed in 2018 with Management Recommendations 2018
Threat Name Threat Code
Human uses of the PreservesHUMUSE
Code Obj. code Statement
DUDVIS-2 MGT-IMP-IMG Beginning in 2017, conduct routine management actions as identified through the IMG monitoring conducted in 2016 and 2021 at sticky dudleya on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table). Depending on the type and level of threat, management should be conducted as needed, not necessarily every year, and using BMPs with precautions to do no harm.
DUDVIS-2 MGT-IMP-IMG Beginning in 2017, conduct routine management actions as identified through the IMG monitoring conducted in 2016 and 2021 at sticky dudleya on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table). Depending on the type and level of threat, management should be conducted as needed, not necessarily every year, and using BMPs with precautions to do no harm.
local NFO 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 SO
MGT-IMP-IMG DIPSTE-2

Management units: 5, 9

Conduct routine management actions as identified through the IMG monitoring at Stephens' kangaroo rat occurrences on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table). Depending on the type and level of threat, management should be conducted as needed, not necessarily every year, and using BMPs with precautions to do no harm.

Action Statement Action status Projects
IMP-1 Perform as needed routine management activities, such as protecting occurrences from disturbance through fencing and enforcement and controlling invasive non-native plant species =20% absolute cover.
IMP-2 Submit project metadata and management data to the MSP Web Portal.
Criteria Deadline year
Routine Management Completed as Needed Based Upon Monitoring Recommendations 2021
Threat Name Threat Code
Human uses of the PreservesHUMUSE
Code Obj. code Statement
DIPSTE-1 MON-IMP-IMG Inspect extant Stephens’ kangaroo rat occurrences on Conserved Lands (see occurrence table) using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threats covariate data to determine management needs.
Regional Grazing Monitoring Plan
This project evaluates using grazing as a management tool for degraded grasslands and coastal sage scrub habitat. Pilot projects will be conducted to look at the efficacy of grazing as management tool and necessary monitoring methods. The project was designed to answer four primary questions (and their associated objectives): 1) How effective is grazing at reducing fire risk? 2) Can grazing effectively enhance disturbed native grassland and forb habitats 3) Can grazing enhance disturbed native coastal sage scrub habitat? 4) Can grazing reduce nonnative grass and forb cover in disturbed coastal sage scrub to increase native shrub cover and bare ground and improve habitat for MSP species such as Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino), California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica), and black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)? Initial study sites were established at Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve and Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area. This is a SANDAG-funded project.
File name Lead Author Year Type
A Field Study of Small Vertebrate Use of Wildlife Underpasses in San Diego County, 2014 Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N.; Rochester, Carlton; Tracey, Jeff 2014 report
Final Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Monitoring on MCB Camp Pendleton: Results and Trend Analyses for Fall-Winter 2017-18 Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N. 2019 report
Ramona Grasslands: Historical Perspective Bittner, David 2008 report
Range-Wide Genetics of the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi) Shier, Debra M.; Navarro, Asako 2016 report
Stehpens' Kangaroo Rat Monitoring on MCB Camp Pendleton Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N. 2013 report
Stehpens' Kangaroo Rat Monitoring on MCB Camp Pendleton Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N. 2013 report
Stehpens' Kangaroo Rat Monitoring on MCB Camp Pendleton Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N. 2013 report
Stehpens' Kangaroo Rat Monitoring on MCB Camp Pendleton Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N. 2013 report
Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Monitoring Results at Naval Base Coronado, Remote Training Site, Warner Springs, 2010/2011. Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N. 2012 report
Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Monitoringon MCB Camp Pendleton Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N. 2013 report
Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi) Monitoring Protocol for MCB Camp Pendleton Brehme, Cheryl; Burnham, Kenneth; Kelt, Douglas; Olsen, Anthony; Montgomery, Stephen; Hathaway, Stacie; Fisher, Robert N. 2006 report
Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Monitoring on MCB Camp Pendleton 2005 to 2010 Multi-year Trend Analysis And 5-year Program Review and Optimization Brehme, Cheryl; Clark, Denise; Fisher, Robert N. 2011 report
Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Monitoring Results on MCB Camp Pendleton, Fall/Winter 2006. Brehme, Cheryl; Fisher, Robert N. 2009 report
Use of Sheep in Management of Stephen's Kangaroo Rat, Burrowing Owl, and Other Species Shomo, Brian 2012 powerpoint presentation

Current Distribution Rangewide

Most of the range occurs in western Riverside County, with the northern end of the present range extending into southwestern San Bernardino County and the southern portion into northern San Diego County [1]. Currently exists only in fragmented populations separated by urban landscapes [2].

Known Populations in San Diego County

Population on Ramona Grasslands Preserve is only one on Conserved Lands in San Diego County. Other populations are found at MCB Camp Pendleton, Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook, Rancho Guejito, and Lake Henshaw/Warner Springs [2].

List Status

FE, CT

Habitat Affinities

Native to open grasslands and sparse coastal sage scrub. Found from approximately 55-1250 m above sea level and typically occurs on relatively flat or gently sloping ground [3;4]. Typical habitat consists of native and nonnative annual herbs, filaree, native and nonnative grasses. Also found in sparse coastal sage scrub habitat where perennial species such as encelia, coastal sagebrush, and California buckwheat occur. Certain nonnative grasses can exclude this species from otherwise suitable habitat (e.g. Bromus diandrus) [3].

Taxonomy and Genetics

It is 1 of 19 species of kangaroo rats (genus Dipodomys) that compromise a distinct group of rodents belonging to the family Heteromyidae [3;5].

Seasonal Activity

A nocturnal, solitary, and burrow-dwelling mammal [1;4]. Individuals spend little time above ground (approximately one hour per night) [1]. Breeding season may occur in late spring and early summer [6].

Life History/Reproduction

Average litter size is 2.5 [7]. Construct burrows to serve as sleeping quarters and nesting sites [6;8].

Diet and Foraging

Primarily eat seeds, along with some green vegetation and occasional insects. Highly evolved to survive arid conditions, can persist indefinitely without drinking free water [4].

Dispersal

Reported home ranges of individuals vary from approximately 0.05 hectare to nearly 0.2 hectare [6;9 cited from 3]. As population density increases, the mean home range size decreases [9 cited from 3]. Male home ranges were significantly larger and had more activity centers than female home ranges. Observed seasonal variation in female home home range size, with smaller home ranges during lactation as females stay near the nest to feed and protect the young. Males ranged widely and their activity centers often overlapped those of neighboring females. Male home ranges were also much more irregularly shaped than females. Female ranges were generally oval or circular in shape, usually had one or two centers of activity, and home range overlap among females was minimal [10 cited from 3].

Threats

Threats include habitat loss resulting from widespread, rapid urbanization and agricultural development; fragmented and isolated populations throughout its range; reduction of habitat suitability from anthropogenic activities including disking for weed abatement, plowing, introduction of nonnative vegetation that kill individuals or destroy or degrade habitat, pasture improvement, or dry farming; application of rodenticides and perhaps other pesticides; predation by domestic pets; overgrazing by livestock; soil compaction by off-road vehicles, horses, and other livestock; and climate change [4;5].

Literature Sources

[1] Burke, R.L., J. Tasse, C. Badgley, S.R. Jones, N.Fishbein, S. Phillips, and M.E. Soulé. 1991. Conservation of the Stephens' kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi): Planning for persistence. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 90, no. 1: 10-40.

[2] Shier, D.M. and A. Navarro. Range-wide Genetics of the Stephens' Kangaroo rat (Dipodomys Stephensi).Final Report. 33 pp.

[3] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1997. Draft recovery plan for the Stephen’s kangaroo rat. Portland, OR.

[4] Spencer, W.D. 2005. Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Survey. Conservation Biology: 2.

[5] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Stephen's Kanagroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi) 5-Year Review: Short For Summary. Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, Carlsbad, California, USA.

[6] Bleich, V.C. 1977. Dipodomys stephensi. Mammalian Species 73: 1-3.

[7] Lackey, J.A. 1967. Growth and development of Dipodomys stephensi. Journal of Mammalogy 48, no. 4: 624-632.

[8] Jones, W.T. 1985. Body size and life-history variables in heteromyids. Journal of Mammalogy 66, no. 1: 128-132.

[9] Thomas, J.R. 1975. Distribution, population densities, and home range requirements of the Stephens kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi).

[10] Kelly, P.A. and M.V. Price. 1992. Home range use of Stephens' kangaroo rats: implications for density estimation. Final report to the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency, Part B 15.