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The Thar desert of western Rajasthan exhibits a rich mammalian diversity, In recent years, however, the number of large mammals, artiodactyles and carnivores, has drastically dwindled due to expansion of human population, They are being replaced by small mammals, shrews and rodents. The highly adapted Gerbillus gleadowi is a predominant species in the extreme desert largely dominated by sand dunes, The sandy plain in the central desert is the most species-rich habitat and is inhabited by 68 mammal species. Certain rodents like Cremnomys cutchicus and Mus phillipsi are found in the rocky habitats. The transformation of desert grasslands to irrigated agricultural fields is changing the biodiversity scenario in the desert, Consequently, typical desert-adapted, endemic mammals are vanishing and they are being replaced by mesic elements. Behavioural adaptation of mammals for survival in the inhospitable desert environment is discussed in this paper.