A kangaroo rat is a rodent that hops. It lives in the dry areas of the United States and Mexico.

From head to tail, this animal is about 12 inches long. It has big black eyes and light brown fur. Its chest and stomach is white.

The kangaroo rat has big ears for its size and strong back legs. The kangaroo rat digs burrows. It hides in them. The kangaroo rat is busy at night. During the day, it rests in its burrow.

A kangaroo rat can travel long distances. Its long legs help it to jump far and land without sinking into the sand. As it hops, its tail helps with balance. The animal looks like a small kangaroo.

The trips at night are to search for food. Using its front feet, this rat stuffs food into the pouches on the side of its face. The pouches are lined with fur and can hold a good amount of food. When it returns to its burrow, it eats its meal. The kangaroo rat can live its whole life without drinking water!