The kangaroo rat is a significant prey item for many predators in the Sonoran Desert, serving as a crucial food source.

The kangaroo rat plays a central role in the Sonoran Desert food web. Due to its abundance and size, it is a key prey item for a variety of desert predators, including snakes, hawks, and coyotes. Despite its adaptations for surviving with minimal water, the kangaroo rat is a primary source of food for these predators, which rely on it to meet their nutritional needs. Its nocturnal behavior and ability to rapidly dig burrows help it evade predators, but its role as prey remains vital to the desert ecosystem.