What is "kangaroo mouse"

Jumping \Jump"ing\, p.

1. & v

2. n. of Jump, to leap.

   Jumping bean, a seed of a Mexican Euphorbia, containing the larva of a moth ( Carpocapsa saltitans). The larva by its sudden movements causes the seed to roll to roll and jump about.

   Jumping deer (Zo["o]l.), a South African rodent ( Pedetes Caffer), allied to the jerboa.

   Jumping louse (Zo["o]l.), any of the numerous species of plant lice belonging to the family Psyllid[ae], several of which are injurious to fruit trees.

   Jumping mouse (Zo["o]l.), North American mouse ( Zapus Hudsonius), having a long tail and large hind legs. It is noted for its jumping powers. Called also kangaroo mouse.

   Jumping mullet (Zo["o]l.), gray mullet.

   Jumping shrew (Zo["o]l.), any African insectivore of the genus Macroscelides. They are allied to the shrews, but have large hind legs adapted for jumping.

   Jumping spider (Zo["o]l.), spider of the genus Salticus and other related genera; one of the Saltigrad[ae]; -- so called because it leaps upon its prey.

n. Either of the two species in the (taxlink Microdipodops genus) genus native to the deserts of the South-western United States.

1. n. small silky-haired pouched rodent; similar to but smaller than kangaroo rats [syn: dwarf pocket rat]

2. leaping rodent of Australian desert areas

A kangaroo mouse is either one of the two species of jumping mouse ( genus Microdipodops) native to the deserts of the southwestern United States, predominantly found in the state of Nevada. The name " kangaroo mouse" refers to the species' extraordinary jumping ability, as well as its habit of bipedal locomotion. The two species are:

• Pale kangaroo mouse - Microdipodops pallidus
• Dark kangaroo mouse - Microdipodops megacephalus

Both species of kangaroo mouse live in sandy desert ecosystems, and forage for seeds and vegetation amongst the scrub brush of their native habitat. The dark kangaroo mouse is also known to feed occasionally on insects and carrion. The mouse rarely drinks water, instead deriving it metabolically from the foods it eats. The kangaroo mouse collects food and maintains large caches in their burrows, which are excavated to a length of between 3 and 8 feet (1 to 2.5 meters). The burrow, the entrance to which the mouse covers during daylight hours, is also used to raise litters of between 2 and 7 young. The pale kangaroo mouse burrows only in fine sand, while the dark kangaroo mouse prefers fine, gravelly soils but may also burrow in sand or sandy soil. Kangaroo mice are nocturnal, and are most active in the two hours following sunset. They are believed to hibernate during cold weather.

The kangaroo mice are closely related to the kangaroo rats, which belong to the same subfamily, Dipodomyinae.

The kangaroo mouse features significantly in the best-selling science fiction novel Dune. The protagonist, Paul Atreides, is called Muad'Dib, a fremen word for kangaroo mouse.