At just 35–150 g, the Kangaroo Rat is one of the lightest herbivore mammals (#49 of 50). Found in North America, it inhabits deserts habitats.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | Kangaroo Rat | Herbivore Mammals Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 0.1 kg | 117.3 kg | ↓ 100% |
| Height | 11 cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 16 km/h | 40 km/h | ↓ 60% |
| Avg Speed | 16 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Kangaroo Rat inhabits deserts habitats. It can be found in North America.
Typical coloring: Brown, Gray.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Kangaroo Rat is a solitary species belonging to the Heteromyidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
LC The Kangaroo Rat is classified as Least Concern. There are 66 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 50 herbivore mammals, the Kangaroo Rat’s weight of 35–150 g is significantly lower than the group median of 117.3 kg.
Weight rank: #55 of 66 Least Concern species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Humpback Whale | Up to 30000 kg | LC |
| 2 | Walrus | Up to 1200 kg | LC |
| 3 | Yak | 500–1200 kg | LC |
| 4 | Water Buffalo | 300–1200 kg | LC |
| 5 | Zebra | 400–900 kg | LC |
Related Species
How much does a Kangaroo Rat weigh?
A Kangaroo Rat typically weighs 35–150 g, which is exceptionally low compared to the median of 117.3 kg among herbivore mammals.
What is the conservation status of the Kangaroo Rat?
The Kangaroo Rat is classified as “Least Concern”. There are 66 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Kangaroo Rat live?
The Kangaroo Rat is found in North America, in deserts habitats.
How does the Kangaroo Rat reproduce?
The Kangaroo Rat has a gestation period of 22–24 days and typically produces 2-5 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026