Fire has been shown to cause an increase in kangaroo rat populations in several studies. The increases in population size likely result from a reduction in dense herbaceous growth, which has been shown to impede movements of kangaroo rats. Dense growth limits the ability of kangaroo rats to forage, find mates, and potentially increases their susceptibility to predation. Wildfires on Alkali Sink Ecological Reserve, Fresno Co., California provided an opportunity to study the effects of fire on a population of Heermann?s kangaroo rats (Dipodomys heermanni). Fire could be considered as a management tool to open previously unoccupied heteromyid habitat for short term use.
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