CRCritically Endangered

San Quintin Kangaroo Rat

Dipodomys gravipes

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The San Quintin kangaroo rat faces severe habitat destruction from agricultural conversion and urban development throughout its extremely limited range in Baja California, Mexico. Introduced predators and competitors, particularly feral cats and non-native rodents, have further reduced population viability in remaining habitat fragments. The species' restriction to a single valley system makes it exceptionally vulnerable to localized threats and environmental stochasticity.
Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits coastal scrubland and chaparral vegetation in the San Quintin Valley of Baja California, Mexico, preferring areas with sandy soils and sparse shrub cover. It requires open spaces between shrubs for foraging and burrow construction in well-drained sandy substrates.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

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Frequently asked questions

Why is San Quintin Kangaroo Rat classified as Critically Endangered?

San Quintin Kangaroo Rat is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The San Quintin kangaroo rat faces severe habitat destruction from agricultural conversion and urban development throughout its extremely limited range in Baja California, Mexico. Introduced predators and competitors, particularly feral cats and non-native rodents, have further reduced population viability in remaining habitat fragments. The species' restriction to a single valley system makes it exceptionally vulnerable to localized threats and environmental stochasticity.

Where does San Quintin Kangaroo Rat live?

San Quintin Kangaroo Rat occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.

What are the main threats to San Quintin Kangaroo Rat?

The main threats to San Quintin Kangaroo Rat are 2.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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