Characteristics of kangaroo rats, Dipodomys merriami, associated with differential predation risk

Between 1980 and 1990, 176 adult Merriam's kangaroo rats were subcutaneously implanted with radio transmitters and tracked for a total of 6316 animal-days at a California site, prior to and during reproductive seasons. Thirty-six animals are known to have been killed by predators, and 14 who disappeared abruptly are also presumed victims. These 50 cases permit various analyses of differential predation risk. Males incurred a predation rate …