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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
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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
This image released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a Stephens' kangaroo rat is seen on a person's knee as it's held by the tail on Oct. 16, 2017.
—CBS News, 30 Dec. 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1867, in the meaning defined above
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 22 Nov. 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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