The case of the Stephens' kangaroo rat is being called a conservation success

The case of the Stephens' kangaroo rat is being called a conservation success

Transcript¹

Nocturnal rodent², the Stephens' kangaroo rat, was on the endangered species list but this month it was reclassified as threatened.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

We have an update now on the survival of a cute, little rat. A species of kangaroo rat has made it off the endangered species list.

A MARTINEZ, HOST:

Its formal name is the nocturnal Stephens' kangaroo rat - small enough to fit in your palm, and its name suggests exactly what it looks like. It has oversized hind³ legs like a kangaroo.

DEBRA SHIER: Their bipedal body stance allows them to ricochet sideways and backwards⁴ and even launch themselves into the air a few feet when they're defending themselves from predators⁵.

MARTINEZ: Debra Shier is associate director of Recovery Ecology at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The rodent is part of the ecosystem⁶ in parts of Southern California.

SHIER: They're primary seed dispersers of the native plants. They're prey⁷ for many species of snakes and small mammals, like weasels, and also owls⁸.

INSKEEP: Of course, you need wildland to be able to do that. And Shier says real estate development has been encroaching on the rat's natural habitat. That's why it was endangered. Now its numbers are up to where it's classified only as threatened, a recovery that came from setting aside land that has the kind of vegetation the rat can thrive on, like open shrublands or native grasslands⁹.

MARTINEZ: Debra Shier says the rat's long-term survival will take long-term conservation.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 rodent   

n.啮齿动物；adj.啮齿目的

参考例句：

• When there is a full moon,this nocturnal rodent is careful to stay in its burrow.月圆之夜，这种夜间活动的啮齿类动物会小心地呆在地洞里不出来。
• This small rodent can scoop out a long,narrow tunnel in a very short time.这种小啮齿动物能在很短的时间里挖出一条又长又窄的地道来。

3 hind   

adj.后面的，后部的

参考例句：

• The animal is able to stand up on its hind limbs.这种动物能够用后肢站立。
• Don't hind her in her studies.不要在学业上扯她后腿。

4 backwards   

adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地

参考例句：

• He turned on the light and began to pace backwards and forwards.他打开电灯并开始走来走去。
• All the girls fell over backwards to get the party ready.姑娘们迫不及待地为聚会做准备。

5 predators   

n.食肉动物( predator的名词复数 )；奴役他人者（尤指在财务或性关系方面）

参考例句：

• birds and their earthbound predators 鸟和地面上捕食它们的动物
• The eyes of predators are highly sensitive to the slightest movement. 捕食性动物的眼睛能感觉到最细小的动静。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 ecosystem   

n.生态系统

参考例句：

• This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。
• We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。

7 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

8 owls   

n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• 'Clumsy fellows,'said I; 'they must still be drunk as owls.' “这些笨蛋，”我说，“他们大概还醉得像死猪一样。” 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛
• The great majority of barn owls are reared in captivity. 大多数仓鸮都是笼养的。 来自辞典例句

9 grasslands   

n.草原，牧场( grassland的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Songs were heard ringing loud and clear over the grasslands. 草原上扬起清亮激越的歌声。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Grasslands have been broken and planted to wheat. 草原已经开垦出来，种上了小麦。 来自《简明英汉词典》