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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
Examples of kangaroo rat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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Word History
First Known Use
1867, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Kangaroo rat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kangaroo%20rat. Accessed 25 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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kangaroo rat
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