The enemies of the kangaroo rat are not determined in detail, or as to
relative importance, but the badger (_Taxidea taxus berlandieri_) and
the kit fox, or swift (_Vulpes macrotis neomexicana_), may well be
foremost. Dens which have been deeply excavated by badgers are
frequently seen, and sometimes two or three badger tunnels penetrate one
burrow system. Dens thus despoiled are probably soon reoccupied even if
the original owner is captured, and in the course of a few months the
reworking of the abode obliterates the signs of destruction.
Droppings of the kit fox show an abundance of bones of small mammals of
kangaroo rat size, among them those of _spectabilis_.
Bobcats (_Lynx baileyi_) and coyotes (_Canis mearnsi_) probably are a
prejudicial factor. Skunks may sometimes be able to surprise the
kangaroo rats, but probably not often. The western horned owl (_Bubo
virginianus pallescens_), the barn owl (_Tyto alba pratincola_), and
perhaps others may well be among the most feared enemies, but no special
investigation of owl pellets on the reserve has been possible. In 592
barn-owl pellets from California were found remains of 230 kangaroo
rats, only one other rodent being represented by a larger number
(McAtee, 1921, 258).
Much more information on enemies is needed. The relatively low rate of
reproduction (see p. 18) indicates comparative freedom from inimical
factors.