Stephens's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi) is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.

[2] It is endemic to the Southern California region of the United States, primarily in western Riverside County.

[4] The natural habitat of Stephens's kangaroo rat is sparsely vegetated temperate grassland.

However, the Stephens's kangaroo rat has been found to inhabit and colonize dirt roadsides.

Further more they like seral stage, intermediate, plant communities that are retained by fires, grazing, and or agriculture.

[8] With living in sparsely covered habitat and making bare spots in the land the rats create trails.

These trails lessen some of the dangers of foraging, as they make for a clear path for fast getaways leading straight to their burrow.

In doing dissection of kangaroo rat stomachs it was found that their diets composed of red brome (Bromus rubens), common Mediterranean grass (Schismus barbatus), and red-stemmed filaree (Erodium cicutarium).

Ants, chewing lice, and darkling beetles were also found in their stomachs but not as prominent as the plant species listed above.

These kangaroo rats clear patches of ground, which allows it to keep a seral stage environment.