* Seeds: These make up the bulk of their diet, and they are highly selective about which seeds they choose. They prefer large, nutritious seeds with high fat and protein content.
* Grasses: They also consume various grasses, particularly during times when seeds are scarce.
* Green vegetation: In addition to seeds and grasses, they will eat green leaves and stems of desert plants.
* Insects: Occasionally, they may supplement their diet with insects, but this is not a primary food source.
Key adaptations for their diet:
* Cheek pouches: They have large cheek pouches that allow them to collect and transport large quantities of seeds back to their burrows for storage.
* Specialized teeth: Their teeth are adapted for grinding tough seeds and grasses.
* Efficient water conservation: They are very efficient at conserving water, which is crucial in the desert environment. They get most of their moisture from the seeds they eat.
Interesting fact: Ords kangaroo rats can survive on a diet of seeds alone, making them remarkable desert survivors!