Dipodomys elator

This species is a chunky, large-headed, long-tailed, four-toed rat with a buffy, blackish-washed dorsum, white belly, large white thigh patches, external fur-lined cheek pouches, and large hind legs; the tail has a conspicuous white tuft at the tip, and the dorsal and ventral tail stripes barely meet in front of the terminal tuft. Adults are 260-345 mm in total length, 161-205 mm tail length, 42-49 mm hind foot length, 10-16 mm ear length, and 65-90 grams (sometimes to over 100 grams). In a sample of 15 adults, greatest length of skull averaged 37.2 mm, maxillary breadth 6.7 mm, mastoid breadth 23.7 mm, interorbital constriction 13.5 mm, and length of maxillary toothrow 5.3 mm (Carter et al. 1985).

Dipodomys elator differs from D. ordii in having a white-tipped tail.

Habitat generally consists of sparsely vegetated areas that may or may not include mesquite, in areas with clay-containing sandy loam soils, including heavily grazed land, disturbed areas, and areas along fencerows adjacent to cultivated fields and roads (Webster and Jones 1985, Caire et al. 1989, Strangl et al. 1992, Schmidly 2004). Martin and Matocha (1991) noted that the species is not totally restricted to clay-loam or clay soil habitats but may also occupy soils with higher sand content). In Wichita County, Texas, Texas kangaroo rats favored grazed sites with short, sparse grasses and little overhead woody cover (Stasey et al. 2010); burrows were associated with high percentages of bare ground, and herbaceous and woody vegetation of low height (Goetze et al. 2007). When inactive, Texas kangaroo rats occupy underground burrows in firm clay loam soils, at the base of mesquite plants or in road cuts (Moss and Mehlhop-Cifelli 1990). In at least some areas, individuals may use more than one burrow (Goetze et al. 2007). Young are born in an underground nest chamber.

Roberts and Packard (1973) estimated population density at 10-27 per hectare. Goetze et al. (2007) estimated density at about 2 per hectare. This species shows very low genetic diversity (Pfau et al. 2019).

Adults are reproductively active apparently throughout the year, with a peak in recruitment in late spring and early summer; young born early in the year breed in summer and fall of the same year (Webster and Jones 1985). Limited data indicate a litter size of 2-4.