Kangaroo rats live in desert habitats across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, including open desert, grasslands, washes, and areas with sandy soil or creosote. They live in areas with low rainfall, high temperatures, and high evaporation. Kangaroo rats eat seeds from desert grasses and plants like mesquite, as well as some insects and green vegetation. They have large eyes, big cheeks to store food, and long tails. They make burrows and nests and don't need to drink much water due to their ability to obtain water from the seeds they eat.