long tail and short and weak fore feet separate them from the pocket
gophers; the white hip-stripe distinguishes them from the pocket mice.
The decidedly larger size and the white-tipped tail separate _Dipodomys
spectabilis spectabilis_ and _D. deserti_ from _D._ _merriami_ and _D.
ordii_. The darker color and vividly contrasted black-and-white tail of
_spectabilis_ distinguish it from _deserti_.

(2) _Dipodomys s. spectabilis_ occurs in the open arid country of
portions of the Lower and Upper Sonoran Zones of Arizona, New Mexico,
Texas, Sonora, and Chihuahua. It lives in harder soil than does
_deserti_, and builds more conspicuous mounds.

(3) There is no evidence of intergradation or hybridization between
_spectabilis_ and _deserti_.

(4) _Dipodomys s. spectabilis_ is nocturnal; it is gentle, and does not
offer to bite when taken in the hand; is silent for the most part;
active; somewhat sociable with its fellows, but fights in defense of its
food stores; progresses chiefly by leaping; signals by a drumming or
tapping on the ground with its hind feet.

(5) The breeding season of _spectabilis_ begins in January and continues
into August. Whether more than one litter is raised in a single season
is unknown. The number of young in each litter varies from 1 to 3,
averaging 2.

(6) _Dipodomys s. spectabilis_ does not hibernate, but provides food
stores, mostly seeds, for use during seasons when food would be
otherwise unavailable. Storage in each den varies in quantity from 5
grams (about 1/6 ounce) to 5,750 grams (12.67 pounds). Materials stored