For monitoring the food security of a *Dipodomys deserti* colony, what should one track locally?
Answer
The local abundance of perennial grass seeds
Monitoring the availability of perennial grass seeds in the immediate surroundings offers the clearest short-term indication of the health and food security for this species.
Related Questions
What forms the foundation of the kangaroo rat's existence in arid environments?During what time period are kangaroo rats strictly active for foraging?How do kangaroo rats fulfill nearly all their water requirements?Which specialized body feature allows kangaroo rats to quickly gather and transport large amounts of seeds?What role does the occasional inclusion of insects play in the kangaroo rat's diet?What is the primary strategic advantage of storing collected food underground in a burrow system?For monitoring the food security of a *Dipodomys deserti* colony, what should one track locally?Under what general conditions do kangaroo rats typically consume green vegetation?What do seeds, which form the bulk of the kangaroo rat's caloric intake, primarily provide?Where are the seeds gathered on the surface ultimately stored after transport from the foraging site?What is the physiological term for producing water as a byproduct when metabolizing fats and carbohydrates from seeds?