San Bernardino Co. Also found in Willow Creek in the Panamint Mts., and Junction Ranch in the Argus Mts. of Inyo Co., and in the Providence Mts. of San Bernardino Co. from Purdy, southwest to Granite Well. As with all heteromyids, D. panamintinus is a nocturnal granivore. Seeds of forbs, shrubs, and grasses are taken from sandy-gravelly soil between and beneath desert shrubs.
Water is obtained metabolically from food and from moisture in food.
Occurs on sandy-gravelly soils, usually with an overstory of big sagebrush, pinyon pine, juniper, or yucca. Comparable habitats that lack all of these plants are more likely habitats of D. microps. Within the sagebrush habitats, D. panamintinus is found at higher elevations with D. microps at lower elevations. Assumed similar to home range. Reproduction occurs from February into August.