Since the Gobi Desert has many trees, steppes, and plants, there are many different types of animals that live in the Gobi. For example, the sand rat, desert hamster, and the wild donkey all live in the Gobi Desert. There are also some animals that are owned by nomads. Mountain sheep, snow leopards, lynx, fox, wolves, gobi bears (also known as the khavtai), the steppe fox, eagles, hawks, and vultures are wild animals that roam the Gobi. Nomads have traveled the Gobi Desert for centuries herding many animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle.

The Sand Rat is a rodent that is slightly larger than a normal rat and looks like a gopher. It's body length can grow from 85 to 130 millimeters, and it's tail length can grow from 50 to 110 millimeters. The fur on the upper part of it's body can be reddish brown, reddish, yellowish, or sandy buff while the under part of it's body is a lighter color. The tail of the Sand Rat is fully covered of hair and the tip of the tail is a black tuff. It's ears are thick and rounded and the eyes are diamond shaped.

Sand Rats live in deserts and have burrows that have many entrances and chambers such as the chamber to storage food. Another chamber is the chamber for a nest.

Sand Rats eat off plants that contain water and salt, such as the Salt bush plant or the Leguminous plant, and insects. These rats also don't like to run around the desert during the summer for food, but they like to stay at home in their burrow or under bushes to keep cool. But they still have to search for food while trying to stay cool.