This species is exclusively found in xerophilius shrub (Ceballos and Oliva 2005), and can be found on the desert plains. It occurs along rocky cutbanks and along old stone walls. It is less restricted to areas of soft soil. It is nocturnal, emerging from burrows at the bases of desert plants or crevices in rock cliffs or rocks walls, one hour after dark and rarely straying far from cover.

Food consists of the seeds of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia). The fruits may be opened and partially eaten, presumably by birds, and seeds falling to the ground are gathered by lined pocket mice (Best 1993). However, C. lineatus apparently does not feed on the red pulp of the cactus fruit (Dalquest 1953).

This species occurs in San Luis Potosi and south-east Zacatecas (Mexico) (Patton 2005). It is found from 1,600 to 2,400 m asl (Ceballos and Oliva 2005).

There are no specific conservation measures in place for this species. Research is needed because this species has a restricted range and low density, making it vulnerable to various threats.