[1] Zacetecan deer mice are medium-sized mouse-like animals, weighing from 28 to 43 grams (0.99 to 1.52 oz), with long tails, large ears, and a slightly elongated snout.

Females can reach sexual maturity within six months, so that some born in the early part of the breeding season may produce young of their own before the end of the year.

As it alternative name of "southern rock mouse" implies, is often found in rocky or broken terrain, where the common vegetation tends to be grasses, acacia, and shrubs such as acahual.

However, Zacatecan deer mice are also fairly common in montane forest dominated by juniper, oak, or pine, and, at the other extreme, have been found in rocky deserts with plentiful cacti.

[3] Zacatecan deer mice are well adapted for climbing, although not truly arboreal, and maintain separate home ranges, especially during the breeding season.