How High Can Kangaroo Rats Jump?

Kangaroo rats have ninja-like agility that’s simply jaw-dropping. They can leap nine feet in the air in just a second, and they can even jump away from a rattlesnake’s jaws in the pitch dark. Their amazing athleticism has been documented in several scientific journals.

A kangaroo rat’s tail is long and hairy, and it balances the rat’s body when it is in motion. It can jump about two meters using its hind legs and uses its forelegs for short distances. It has long, soft fur and tufts of fur along its body. It’s also a great swimmer, and it has a tail length of over seven inches.

This vertical jumping ability is essential to avoiding predators. The rat’s plantar flexors, which deliver the most contribution to ankle joint power, are also responsible for allowing the rat to leap many times higher than standing hip height. In addition to their plantar flexors, kangaroo rats’ vertical jumping performance is influenced by their musculotendon properties.

Kangaroo rats do not hibernate, but rely on stored food for the winter. They have one litter a year, containing between two and five pups. The gestation period is between 22 and 27 days.