This is the animal most often mis-assigned between the two ends of Padre Island, so it is worth
being exact. NSRL gives the species' range as most of South Texas north to Bexar and Gonzales
counties, and also Mustang and Padre Islands, and recognises two subspecies: **the barrier-island
form Dipodomys compactus compactus, the Padre Island kangaroo rat**, and the mainland
D. c. sennetti. Island animals live in shifting dunes, favouring deep, loose, sparsely vegetated
sand. It is a medium-sized, five-toed kangaroo rat with a relatively short tail for the genus —
223 mm total length, 118 mm tail, 44 to 60 g — and like other kangaroo rats it hardly drinks,
taking most of its water from food (NSRL).
Observe responsibly
Wildlife, tides and access conditions change. Keep a respectful distance, do not feed wildlife, stay out of dunes and marked nesting areas, and use current official rules before fishing or handling any catch.