Dipodomys

/ˌdɪpədoʊˈmaɪs/ noun

Definition

A genus of small rodents known as kangaroo rats, found in North American deserts and characterized by jumping locomotion and cheek pouches.

Etymology

From Greek 'dipous' (two-footed) and 'domys' (mouse), named in the 1800s to describe the two-legged hopping rodents of American deserts.

Kelly Says

Kangaroo rats (genus Dipodomys) are so perfectly engineered for deserts that they've never been seen drinking water—their kidneys are twice as efficient as ours at conserving water.

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