The Spinifex Hopping Mouse is the most widespread of all hopping mice, found throughout the arid regions of Central Australia and Western Australia, mainly areas of sandy soil.

Although they are mainly found in arid regions of spiny spinifex, they can also be found in open Eucalypt woodland, Acacia shrubland and tussock grassland, especially when there is a population explosion, after some good rain.

Being nocturnal, they are seen at night. During the day they shelter in deep humid burrows of up to one metre and in colonies of up to 10 individuals may reside in each burrow system.

The average weight is about 35 gm, with a body length of up to 115 mm and a long tail of about 140 mm. The tail ends in a brush-tip. The hind legs are elongated and the hopping mouse has small fore limbs.