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The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat (Endangered Species)

Arriba, Arriba as Speedy Gonzalez would say
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat is dying away 

Baja California is where they do reside
On a little strip of land just 100 meters wide

Due to agriculture and progress it’s sad to say
All but nine-miles of their habitat was taken away

Truly nocturnal they only come out at night
Strongly territorial they’re ready to fight

Once numbering in thousands now 30 are left
How long can humanity go on being deft?

They bathe in the dust so its sad but true
In captivity they last just one day or two

When they are threatened believe what I say
Two-meters at a time they go hopping away

They mainly eat seeds, fruits, insects and such
Amazing kidneys allow them to not drink very much 

They rarely drink water because these words are true
Their kidney’s are four-times as efficient as the kidney in you

The odds they will rebound are far less then slim
San Quinton Kangaroo Rats fate is looking rather grim

Even if you don’t hold rats dear to your heart
In the overall cycle of life they play their part

Every species on earth fulfills some sort of need
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat regulates the diversity of seeds

Plants, insects, ants, and birds need them to survive
Without the San Quinton Kangaroo Rat they cannot thrive

Arriba, Arriba as Speedy Gonzalez would say
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat is dying away
 

Being one who spent years in San Quinton this
endangered species caught my eye. Reminded
me of the jail house mouse that would frequent
my cell. An odd sort of connection I'll admit but
rather interesting I reckon.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010




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Date: 9/7/2013 11:21:00 AM
Sad but interesting write.
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Date: 6/4/2010 11:59:00 PM
That is interesting. I have never heard of the San quinton Kangaroo rat but will read up on it now. Very well presented Michael. good write. Charles
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Date: 6/4/2010 11:02:00 PM
Smile! Yes, that old familiar flowing of verse, by, my old dear friend Michael Jordon!!! ~ "Hello You Gifted Poet & Beautiful Heart!!!" ~ I hope that life is treating "You & Your Loved Ones" wonderfully Brother and, this was a very enlightening write! One for the species and, one the revealing of the authors compassionate and beautiful heart!!! "Excellent" ~ "My Love to You All, Always," John! ~ Smile, "Bye Dear Michael!":)
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Date: 6/4/2010 10:09:00 AM
I am not too fond of rats but sounds different. Rats equals the plague to me. lol
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Date: 6/4/2010 9:26:00 AM
Hadn't heard of this species before, Michael. So many have become endangered by loss of habitat. We recently "moved" an endangerd gopher tortoise to a new home because he was eyeing the backyard vegetable garden. Too bad people don't make more of an effort to see that species on the decline find new lands to roam. Excellent poem! Love, Carolyn
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Date: 6/4/2010 1:29:00 AM
An interesting read Michael, we have little Kangaroo mice down here. Thank you for stopping by...Margaret
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Date: 6/3/2010 12:14:00 AM
in some aspects the price of human progress is sickening, great poem Michael, i hope someone will help these animals? Your poem certainly will harry
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Date: 6/2/2010 6:31:00 PM
A great write. I have been quite ignorant about this. Thanks for sharing the information and thoughts.
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Date: 6/2/2010 11:16:00 AM
You've just educated me with this one, thanks Michael :) rgds WN
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Date: 6/2/2010 10:55:00 AM
This is one Ive never heard of..good write Michael..love, BG
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Date: 6/2/2010 10:32:00 AM
oops--sorry I meant "what YF4L meant" not "when" --my eyes are playing tricks on me hehe or it only menas I have to get off the Soup now & sleep! ;) enjoy your day!
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Date: 6/2/2010 10:28:00 AM
this poem of yours sure opened my eyes about the kangaroo rat--never knew these things before! Wish you the best in the contest! Thanks for sharing --& I just had to smile when I learned when YF4L meant--that is just heartwarming! Rest assured that I will be a friend for life as well--now let me head on over to Sharon Weimer's poems :) --nikko :)
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