[2] Their long smooth pelage resembles typical kangaroo rats, with their dorsal side showing a mixed range of olive, black and orange colors.

[8] Even with this small home range, the Heermann's kangaroo rat is listed as a species of least concern according to the IUCN.

[6][10] Population densities experience many ups and downs and have been shown to range between 2–30 kangaroo rats per hectare (1–12 per acre).

Typically, it is only the larger rats that take part in emigration, and females have been shown to exhibit this behavior more often than males.

[11] Heermann's kangaroo rats are granivores, and seeds provide a significant nutritional value to their diet.

If the dry food matter increases and humidity is decreased, the mean daily activity of the rats drastically declines.

[6][10][12][11] They do have some predators such as rattlesnakes, gopher snakes, owls, various raptors, coyotes, foxes, weasels, skunks and house cats.

[6] The Heermann's kangaroo rat does not hibernate, instead it remains more or less active during the year depending on time of day.

When running rapidly their hops can range from 61 to 76 cm (24 to 30 in), and their tail aids in providing counterbalance.

[11] Heermann's kangaroo rat has a wide window in which it primarily breeds, ranging from February to October.

[10] Heermann's kangaroo rat rarely show increased levels of sexual behavior.

[6][11] The young are born bright pink, wrinkled, hairless (except for colorless vibrissae), poikilothermic, and with their eyes closed.