[2] This species was identified in 2002, by Braun and Mares from the University of Oklahoma.

Both the front and hind feet are clad in white hairs, as is the region surrounding the anus.

The typical habitat of this rat is rocky outcrops and rock crevices on steep slopes, with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), saltbush (Atriplex lampa), bunch grasses (Stipa spp.)

[4] This chinchilla rat creates shallow burrows among the rocks and coarse herbage.

It is diurnal and feeds on shoots and leaves, especially the leaves of the creosote bush; since this bush contains toxic chemicals, it is likely that the rat has lived in close association with it for a very long time, enabling it to acquire immunity to the toxins.