Heteromyidae

The family of rodents that include kangaroo rats, kangaroo mice and rock pocket mice is the Heteromyidae family. Most heteromyids live in complex burrows in the deserts and grasslands of western North America. Some species within the Heteromys and Liomys genera are also found in forests and can be found down as far as northern South America. They feed mostly on seeds and other plant parts, which they carry in their cheek pouches to their burrows.

Although they are very different in physical appearance, the closest relatives of the heteromyids are pocket gophers in the Geomyidae family.

Taxonomy
Family Heteromyidae
Subfamily Heteromyinae
Genus Heteromys
Genus Liomys
Subfamily Dipodomyinae - Kangaroo rats and mice
Genus Dipodomys - Kangaroo rat
Genus Microdipodops - Kangaroo mouse
Subfamily Perognathinae - Pocket mice
Genus Perognathus - Silky pocket mouse
Genus Chaetodipus - Pocket mouse (uncertain where to put it)

References
Alexander, L. F. and B. R. Riddle. 2005. Phylogenetics of the New World rodent family Heteromyidae. Journal of Mammalogy, 86:399-379.

 Other websites 
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Heteromyidae.html

Category:Geomyoid rodents