Family: Heteromyidae, Pocket Mice and Kangaroo Rats view all from this family

Description Light pinkish cinnamon above; hairs white to base on belly and underside of tail. Tail thickest in middle; lacks tuft, distinct markings, and black tip. Incisors not grooved. Hindfoot has hair on sole. L 5 7/8-6 7/8" (150-173 mm); T 2 7/8-3 7/8" (74-99 mm); HF 1" (25-27 mm); Wt 3/8- 5/8 oz (10-17 g).

Similar Species Dark Kangaroo Mouse has blackish or dark grayish upperparts and black-tipped tail. Pocket mice and kangaroo rats have grooved incisors.

Breeding Reproductive season apparently spring-early fall; litters probably average 2-6 young.

Habitat Fine sand around scattered desert brush.

Range Upper Sonoran Desert of w Nevada and adjacent Mono and Inyo counties, in California.

Discussion This species is primarily quadrupedal, but also uses bipedal locomotion. It does not climb. Some winter activity occurs, but the "kangaroo" tail stores fat, which serves as an energy source during estivation and hibernation, and also helps maintain balance during jumps. The simple burrows are 4 to 6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) long and 1 foot (.3 m) deep, in windblown sand; no food is stored in them, at least in summer. Various seeds, other vegetation, and insects form this animal's diet.