[8] Desert kangaroo rats live in burrow systems under slight mounds of soil 6-9m across;[8] they sleep in a den, which is sealed off at extreme temperatures, during the day.

[8] Feeding occurs in fits and starts of movement and at relatively discrete locations, with an average distance of ~7 m (22 ft.) between stops.

[12] Kangaroo rats achieve the ability to be sustained on limited water by having incredibly derived kidneys.

The desert kangaroo rat has a kidney structure very similar to those of other rodents, but it has much longer papilla (mammalian species).

The long nasal cavities reduce this water loss by cooling the air leaving the lungs.

Cooling air releases moisture for reabsorption to the body so its loss can be avoided in a situation where water is a precious resource.

[15] The desert kangaroo rat, living in a sand dune environment, has the highest level of food scarcity.

[16] Desert kangaroo rats function under a high risk of predation for a variety of reasons.

[16] The desert kangaroo rat also uses its hind limbs to kick away attacking snakes in order to avoid being injected with venom.