It has a long tail with a bushy tip, and is dark dorsally and ventrally with a white lateral stripe.

[8] In Utah, Ord's kangaroo rats have an affinity for open shrublands and grasslands on sandy soils.

[7] In southeastern Idaho, big sagebrush/crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) range, most Ord's kangaroo rat captures occurred on disturbed sites or areas of sparse cover: Russian thistle (Salsola kali), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), followed by disturbed areas seeded to crested wheatgrass, then undisturbed big sagebrush.

[9] In western South Dakota, Ord's kangaroo rats are associated with black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) towns.

[10] In Wyoming, Ord's kangaroo rats are abundant in sand dune communities where vegetation is greater than 10 inches (25 cm) tall and bare soil exceeds 40%.

[7] In Colorado, Ord's kangaroo rats were primarily captured in open areas with firm soil.

[13] Herbicide defoliation of shrubs (for rangeland improvement) reduced live canopy cover of creosotebush and resulted in an increase in bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri).

[8] In New Mexico, Ord's kangaroo rat annual home ranges in mesquite averaged 3.35 acres (1.36 hectares).

[18] Ord's kangaroo rats occur in communities on sandy soils, including semiarid grasslands, mixed-grass prairie, shrub- and scrublands, and pinyon (Pinus spp.

[7] In Canada, They are confined to open, sandy areas with sparse covers of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.

); the distribution of Ord's kangaroo rats appears to be closely associated with that of lanceleaved breadroot (Psoralea lanceolata).

[19] In Oregon, Ord's kangaroo rats occur in big sagebrush (A. tridentata), western juniper (J. occidentalis), and greasewood (Sarcobatus spp.)

[20] In Utah, Ord's kangaroo rats have an affinity for sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and saltbush (Atriplex spp.)

[7] In southwestern Kansas, Ord's kangaroo rats are characteristic residents of sand sagebrush prairie.

[24] Even in shrub-dominated communities, heteromyids including Ord's kangaroo rat tend to concentrate their activity in open areas between shrubs.

[26] The burrow opening is usually plugged with soil during the day to maintain temperature and humidity within tolerable levels.

[7] Ord's kangaroo rats are active year-round in Texas, but further north, they are seldom seen above ground in cold weather.

Higher reproductive rates are associated with increased precipitation and food supply and decreased population density.

The longest-lived Ord's kangaroo rat in captivity is a wild caught female who lived until 9 yr 1 months.

Ord's kangaroo rats also cache seed in scattered shallow holes; this activity sometimes results in seedling emergence.

[17][18][35] In Idaho, the remains of Ord's kangaroo rats were found in up to 25% of prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) nests.

The three-year average frequency of Ord's kangaroo rat remains in prairie falcon nests was 4%.