One of the most common species of kangaroo rat, the Ord's Kangaroo Rat is certainly adorable. These cute little animals have interesting habits and are fun to observe either in the wild or in captivity.

Ord's Kangaroo Rats are usually found in sandy soils, into which they burrow. In the wild the burrows are usually 8 to 24 inches long. Their burrows tend to be multichambered. Often, Ord's Kangaroo Rats will plug up the entrances to their holes when they are inside. Nests may be built inside the burrows, consisting of plant materials. Ord's Kangaroo Rats eat plant materials, too, mainly subsisting on seeds. They may take the occasional insect when plants are seasonally unavailable. Ord's Kangaroo Rats move like kangaroos do, with long hops, and also use their strong hind legs for kicking when they feel threatened. More dangerous predators, like rattlesnakes, may also be deterred through use of this kicking technique. Ord's Kangaroo Rats can kick sand at the snake's face without having to risk coming too close to danger. In the wild, Ord's Kangaroo Rats are usually solitary outside of the breeding season, and defend their burrows vigorously. They are generally nocturnal.

Ord's Kangaroo Rat usually measures about ten inches in length, although its tail accounts for more than half of this. This Kangaroo Rat weighs about two ounces, and has yellow-brown fur that is washed with dark or black tints. The tail of the Ord's Kangaroo Rat has a stripe at the top and another at the base, and has a tuft of fur at the end. The undersides are usually whitish. The Ord's Kangaroo Rat has weak front feet that are not used very often for locomotion. The eyes are large and bright, and the ears of these kangaroo rats are hairless.

In the wild, threats to Ord's Kangaroo Rats include owls, snakes, and badgers. These animals have a much wider range than many Kangaroo Rats, and thus are not as endangered as many other species. They are found throughout North America, and range from the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the western United States up through southern Canada and down to central Mexico. Ord's Kangaroo Rats are one of the most common species of kangaroo rats and have the largest habitat.

The Ord's Kangaroo Rat is very shy. They should be kept in an enclosure with a burrow or cave for them to hide in. A loose substrate should be used to allow these animals to burrow. It has been reported that they enjoy eating seeds. It is important to feed a varied, healthy mix of seeds to ensure that they get the proper nutrition from their diet. They do not need much water because they get most of the water they require from their food. Because Ord's Kangaroo Rats are solitary animals in the wild, it may not be a good idea to keep more than one in the same enclosure.

Although Ord's Kangaroo Rats may breed year round, they generally only bear young during the warmer months in more northerly regions of their ranges. Litters of one to three are average. These young are born helpless, nearly hairless, and blind, although they grow quickly.