Nutritional Requirements of the Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) as Indicated by Dietary Self-Selection

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Abstract
Nutritive and caloric needs of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys ordii) were investigated using a self-selection of diet technique. In contrast to findings that a majority of individuals of most species adjust successfully to self-selection schedules, only six of 16 experimental animals made adequate dietary adjustment. Patterns of nutritive intake of these six animals, however, were similar to intake patterns of laboratory rats and Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). In a second experiment, three groups of kangaroo rats were presented a mash containing 2 per cent salt, a mash containing 5 per cent salt, and a commercial diet, respectively. The results showed that during a 30-day test period, the group on the 2 per cent salt mash lost weight, whereas the other two groups increased in weight. The experiments suggest failure of kangaroo rats to adjust to a self-selection schedule might be partly due to an inability to consume casein or salts, or both.