“…San Joaquin kangaroo rats however, appear to have largely disappeared from the valley floor, even from most of the larger parcels that remain uncultivated. Populations seem to be in a continuing decline, probably due to the combined effects of habitat conversion, fragmentation, degradation, and other factors (Chesemore and Rhodehamel, 1992;Williams and Kilburn, 1992;Williams and Germano, 1993;Goldingay et al, 1997;USFWS, 1998;Uptain et al, 1998;Kelly 2000). Populations in the more or less continuous band of grassland around the valley periphery are doing better but, even there, San Joaquin kangaroo rats are difficult to find.…”