Kansas Rodents

Kansas Rodents

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Rodentia

Open Ended

Why are rodents beneficial to the ecosystems in Kansas?

Traits of Rodents

They have all traits of Mammals (do you remember them?)

They have all traits of Chordates and Animals, too (do you remember them?)

Incisors grow throughout their lifetime, so they are constantly gnawing to keep them at an appropriate length

Does not have canine teeth, but has a large gap between large incisors and molars

They have long tails

Multiple Choice

An Eastern Cottontail has constantly growing incisors, a gnawing lifestyle, two large ears, and a short tail. Would this be classified as a Rodent?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

A Striped Skunk has two large canine teeth, but feeds mostly on grass. Would it be considered a rodent?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

A Beaver has a long tail, a gnawing lifestlye, and is aquatic. Is it considered a rodent?

• Yes

• No

Beaver

• A keystone species because their dams provide habitats for many other species, such as fish, frogs, turtles, snakes, birds, and more!

• Truly nature's greatest engineers. They alter their landscapes more than any species other than Human

North American Pocupine

Cannot throw it's quills.

It's quills are modified hairs, so they can grow back. They are barbed so they stick in its adversary pretty good!

They live in trees in western Kansas, eating mostly bark.

Family Scuridae (Squirrels)

• Rodents with bushy tails

• Pretty much all of them are diurnal, except the Flying Squirrel

Groundhog (aka Woodchuck)

A large squirrel

Lives in woodlands (eastern Kansas)

Hibernates underground during winter

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

A keystone species

Lives in shortgrass prairie areas in western Kansas

A highly social species that lives in large groups

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Lives in wide open agricultural areas of western Kansas

Hibernates during the winter

Spotted Ground Squirrel

Bro do be rare in KS

Eastern Chipmunk

A specialist of Oak-Hickory woodlands (where in Kansas?)

Gray Squirrel

Found only in eastern Kansas woodlands

Eastern Fox Squirrel

A generalist that can be found anywhere in the state where there are trees, especially in towns.

Southern Flying Squirrel

Only nocturnal squirrel

Lives only in eastern Kansas woodlands

Multiple Choice

What species is this?

• Gray Squirrel

• Eastern Fox Squirrel

• Black-tailed Prairie Dog

• Southern Flying Squirrel

Multiple Choice

What species is this?

• Black-tailed Prairie Dog

• Spotted Ground Squirrel

• Groundhog

• Beaver

Plains Pocket Gopher

A fossorial species

Very small eyes, it lives underground and doesn't use them!!

Long claws for digging

Loves soft soils, so very common in south Dodge City

Multiple Choice

Who done it?

• Pocket Gopher

• Eastern Fox Squirrel

• Prairie Dog

• Beaver

Family Criticidae and Heteromyidae

Often called "Field Mice". But there are many species and all are native. Not to be confused with House Mouse or Norway Rat.

Ord's Kangaroo Rat

Lives in destert or dry areas of western Kansas, such as as sandsage prairie

Obtains water through their diet

Nocturnal, burrows underground during day

Cheek pouches store seed

Muskrat

Basically a large aquatic mouse.

Builds lodges out of grasses

Southern Plains Woodrat

Often nests in old buildings, tangly trees, around rocks, etc.

Can cause damage to your car if you leave it parked in Woodrat habitat too long!

Prairie Vole

Deer Mouse

Most common rodent in North America, a habitat generalist

Staple food for many predators

Northern Grasshopper Mouse

You need to know more about these guys. They are AMAZING!

Hispid Cotton Rat

Old World Mice

Both of these species are invasive and can reproduce like crazy. They also cause major, major damge!

House Mouse

Norway Rat

I have never seen the movie Ratatouie. Should I?

Multiple Choice

Identify:

• Striped Mouse

• Hispid Cotton Rat

• Gray Squirrel

• Eastern Chipmunk

Multiple Choice

Identify:

• Muskrat

• Beaver

• Southern Plains Woodrat

• Mink

Multiple Choice

Which rodent below is a preferred food for a Mink?

• Muskrat

• Deer Mouse

• Beaver

• Striped Skunk

Multiple Choice

Identify:

• Mole

• Plains Pocket Gopher

• House Mouse

• Porcupine

Multiple Choice

The habitat for this species would most likely be:

• Wide open prairie area

• Around rocks or heavy cover

Fill in the Blanks