| The ongoing, severe drought is predicted to have negative consequences for a suite of sensitive species in California. One such species, the giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens, GKR), has shown dramatic population fluctuations in relation to precipitation over the past four decades. Here we present results from trapping efforts in the Ciervo-Panoche Natural Area, San Benito County from 2011-2015. We found a decline in density estimates and trap success over that time; we also documented a shift in occupancy from drier, more southerly sites to wetter, northern sites. A decline in GKR density coincided with an increase in small mammal community diversity. |