The Dulzura kangaroo rat was at one time thought to be conspecific with the agile kangaroo rat (Dipodomys agilis) but the two are now recognised as being separate species; there is significant differences between them in their morphology, and their chromosome counts differ, with D. agilis having a karyotype of 2n=62 and D. simulans having 2n=60.

[3] Like other kangaroo rats, this species proceeds in a series of hops, using only its hind legs, and stabilising itself with its long tail.

Its typical habitat is sandy and gravelly soils in semi-desert, dry grassland and scrub, and chaparral near the coast; it is also sometimes found in forests of pine, oak and fir.

[3] It is nocturnal, spending the day in its burrow (often blocking up the entrances) and emerging for a few hours at night.

[1] It feeds mainly on seeds, but also eats green plant material and insects, its diet varying with what is available at the time of year.