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

Description A large, spectacular four-toed kangaroo rat with a long, white-tipped tail. It is yellowish-brown above and white underneath, with a long tail covered with short hairs at the base and long hairs at the tip. Spots above the eye and behind the ear, hip stripes, forelimbs, dorsal surface and sides of hind feet, lateral tail stripes, ventral surface, and tip of the tail are pure white. Young animals are grayish on the back and slightly brighter on the sides. Active year-round, but may remain in burrows on cold or rainy nights. Lives in desert grasslands with scattered shrubs, and makes large mounds that contain extensive burrow systems.

Dimensions 315-349mm, 185-208mm, 110-132g; / 310-345mm, 180-205mm, 98-130g

Habitat Scrub, shrub & brushlands, Deserts

Range Southwest, Texas

Discussion Active year-round, but may remain in burrows on cold or rainy nights. Lives in desert grasslands with scattered shrubs, and makes large mounds that contain extensive burrow systems.