Giant Kangaroo Rat (IMAGE) University of Washington Caption Giant kangaroo rats were common on the Carrizo Plain until the third year of the drought, when more than 90 percent of the population died off. Credit John Roser Usage Restrictions Photo credit required. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.