Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center


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Small Mammals of North Dakota

Family Heteromyidae

Heteroymyids

The Heteroymyids are a group of distinctive rodents that share the characteristics of having external furlined cheek pouches (like the pocket gophers) and light bone structure in the skull. They also have enlarged back legs and feet, an evolutionary trend toward bipedal locomotion (walking on two feet). Members of this group that can be found in North Dakota include the olive-backed pocket mouse, plains mouse, and the Ord's kangaroo rat.

Ord's Kangaroo Rat -- Dipodomys ordii

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