Females have eight mammae. These animals inhabit steppes and semidesert areas and occasionally pastures and cultivated fields. They construct temporary burrows to shelter from danger and larger burrows for residence. The latter generally have only two or three openings and may extend to 90 cm below the surface. About halfway down is a spherical, grass-lined nest chamber with an average diameter of 10 cm.
Activity is mainly nocturnal.
The diet consists of a great variety of green vegetation, tubers, and bulbs. Some food is dried and stored for winter use. Populations of Lagurus may fluctuate substantially. L. lagurus is said to increase dramatically in some years and undergo mass migrations. Sexual maturity in this species is attained at only 3-4 weeks of age.