Description: Kangaroo rats are recognized by their kangaroo-like
appearance; small feet, large hind feet, and muscular legs on which
they hop. They also have long tails that help with balance when rapidly
hopping. The Panamint species is relatively large (head and body: 13 cm
[5 in.]; tail: 18 cm [7 in.]), is overall grayish-brown above, cinnamon on the sides, and white below. The tail is slightly crested and has pale dusky stripes on the dorsal and ventral surfaces. Hind feet have five toes. The lower incisors are round in cross-section. Produces four offspring per year. Kangaroo rats are inactive above ground during the day. They do not hibernate, but are inactive during cold weather. They drum feet, squeal, and growl when excited. Within the range of this subspecies, other kangaroo rats have four toes on the hind feet. In addition, the large size, dark marks, five toes, and round incisors serve to separate this species from others.
Diet: Seeds.
Habitat: Desert areas with sandy or gravelly soils and widely scattered
creosote bush, Joshua trees, juniper, sagebrush, and scattered pinyon. In southern Nevada, found in areas of extensive yucca.
Range: Extreme western Nevada, southward in a narrow band through
scattered areas to southern California. This subspecies occurs as an
isolated population in southern Nevada near Searchlight and in the
Providence Mountains of southeastern California.