The giant kangaroo rat prefers annual grassland on gentle slopes with sandy soils. However, most remaining populations are on poorer, marginal habitats which include shrub communities on a variety of soil types and steeper slopes.

Giant kangaroo rats develop burrow systems, called precincts, with one to five or more separate openings. There are generally two types of burrows: 1) a vertical shaft with a circular opening and no dirt apron, and 2) a larger, more horizontally opening shaft—usually wider than high—with a well-worn path leading to the burrow.

The historical distribution of giant kangaroo rats encompassed a narrow band of gently sloping ground along the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley, with occasional colonies on steeper slopes and ridge tops, from Merced County in the north to Kern County in the south and the Carrizo Plain and Cuyama Valley in San Luis Obispo County. Historical habitat was estimated to be over 1.5 million acres.

Today, the species is currently fragmented into six major geographic units: (1) Ciervo-Panoche in western Fresno and eastern San Benito counties; (2) Kettleman Hills in southwestern Kings County; (3) San Juan Creek Valley, east of San Luis Obispo County; (4) the Lokern area, Elk Hills, Taft, and Maricopa in western Kern County; (5) the Carrizo Plain in eastern San Luis Obispo County; and (6) the Cuyama Valley along and east of the Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo County line.  

Giant kangaroo rats are primarily seed eaters; however, they also eat green plants and insects.

Giant kangaroo rats forage above ground from sunset to near sunrise, with most activity taking place in the first two hours after dark. Foraging activity is greatest in the spring as seeds of annual plants ripen. Commonly consumed seeds include peppergrass (Lepidium spp.), filaree (Erodium cicutarium), Arabian grass (Schismus arabicus) and brome grasses (Bromus spp.).

The giant kangaroo rat is excellent at storing food for the winter months. They forage for seeds and then place the ripening seed heads in small pits or large stacks on the surface over their burrow system. After curing for several weeks, they move the seeds to underground storage areas.

Reproduction is influenced by population density, availability of food and environmental conditions. During non-drought years, females can have one to three litters a year with one to four young per litter after approximately 30 days of gestation. Breeding generally occurs in the winter but can extend into the spring and summer months. Their average lifespan is not well documented but is likely around 2 years. Some individuals have been known to live for 6 years.

Giant kangaroo rats have large, flattened heads and short necks. Large, fur-lined cheek pouches extend as deep pockets of skin along the sides if the head, which they fill with seeds as they forage. Their hind limbs are large compared to the size of their forelimbs. These strong rear legs enable the species to hop from place to place and help them quickly get out of the way of predators, such as snakes. Their tails are longer than their combined head and body length. The tails have a crest of long hairs, terminating in a large tuft.

Giant kangaroo rats are distinguished from the similar San Joaquin kangaroo rats (Dipodomys nitratoides) by the number of toes on their hind feet; giant kangaroo rats have five toes, San Joaquin kangaroo rats have four. Thie giant kangaroo rat can be distinguished from the more common Heermann’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni) based on a greater hind foot length and body size.

Size and Shape

• Weight: Adult giant kangaroo rats weigh 3.5 to 6.7 ounces (100 to 190 grams)
• Total Length: 12.2 to 13.7 inches (311 to 348 millimeters)