kangaroo rat

noun

: 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

Illustration of kangaroo rat

Illustration of kangaroo rat

Examples of kangaroo rat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yucca moth caterpillars, kangaroo rats and ground squirrels eat their seeds. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024 Another one of the zoo’s conservation projects, the Texas kangaroo rat, is also on display for the first time, according to Elander. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2024 The kangaroo rat is the only mammal in the Mountains and Desert habitat. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2024 Another animal that’s extremely well desert adapted is called a kangaroo rat. Paige Vega, Vox, 7 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for kangaroo rat 

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kangaroo rat was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near kangaroo rat

Cite this Entry

“Kangaroo rat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kangaroo%20rat. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

kangaroo rat

noun
: a burrowing rodent of dry regions of the western U.S. that travels by hopping on its long hind legs

More from Merriam-Webster on kangaroo rat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!