Inhabits rocky deserts, arid steppe, desert-steppe and sandy deserts with Poacae, pea shrubs (Caragana spp.), spear grasses (Stipa spp.), Artemisia areneria and Cleistogenes soongorica. Lives in burrows dug by other species, jerboa, jirds, and hamsters. Solitary. Possesses obvious body fat deposits in summer, when tail may reach a diameter of 8 mm. Diet primarily seeds and grains. Hibernates about 7 months a year. Reproduces once each year. This is a nocturnal species, foraging for seeds at night.

Distributed in deserts and semi-deserts in SW Mongolia, Tuva, and China (Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, Nei Mongol). Isolated area in E Kazakhstan. Distributed from close to the northern border of Mongolia in Great Lakes Depression, through Valley of the Lakes, Dzungarian Govi Desert, Northern Govi, and south to Eastern Govi, Trans Altai Govi Desert, and Alashani Govi Desert.

Listed as Rare in most of the range (Mongolia, Kazakstan and Russia), but Least Concern in China. Occurs in protected areas (approximately 13% of the species’ range in Mongolia) occurs within protected areas. Further research is recommended to identify conservation actions.