kangaroo rat

noun

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of kangaroo rat

: any of a genus (Dipodomys) of nocturnal burrowing rodents of arid parts of western North America that travel by hopping on their long hind legs and have a long tail and fur-lined cheek pouches

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Recent Examples of kangaroo rat from the Web

Some species, like the kangaroo rat, can survive without drinking water for years by obtaining it instead from its food.

— theresa laverty, Smithsonian, "Where Clean Drinking Water Is Hard To Find, Bats Could Lead the Way," 2 May 2018
The last time anyone saw the San Quintin kangaroo rat was more than 30 years ago, in the arid scrublands of Baja California, Mexico.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Supposedly extinct kangaroo rat resurfaces after 30 years," 30 Apr. 2018
He and friends drove backcountry roads looking for amphibians after a rain, and collected kangaroo rats with baseball caps.

— deborah sullivan brennan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Natural History Museum plans biodiversity blitz," 6 Mar. 2018
The area is part of an arid empire of Joshua trees, cactus, bobcats, tortoises and kangaroo rats hemmed by steep slopes, dry lakes and arroyos fringed with creosote bush.

— louis sahagun, latimes.com, "L.A. County set to build its first new freeway in 25 years, despite many misgivings," 10 Feb. 2018
But some spry little kangaroo rats were not so keen on becoming these snakes' next meals.

— elaina zachos, National Geographic, "Watch the 6 Most Gripping Animal Battles of 2017," 19 Dec. 2017
The recordings captured 15 different snakes, 21 identified kangaroo rats and 17 unidentified rats.

— james gorman, New York Times, "How Kangaroo Rats Escape Rattlesnakes," 12 Oct. 2017
Tiny kangaroo rats must navigate the California desert at night, when coiled serpents lie in wait for a meal.

— National Geographic, "Watch a Rat Escape a Snake Attack—In 100 Milliseconds," 26 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kangaroo rat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of kangaroo rat

1867

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