Northern Three-toed Jerboa

About this species

Size

Body 10–15.5 cm; tail 14.5–19 cm

Weight

About 56–117 g

Diet

Mostly seeds; also plants, roots and insects

Habitat

Sandy desert, semi-desert and sandy pasture

The northern three-toed jerboa has a 10–15.5-centimetre body, a 14.5–19-centimetre tail and a weight of about 56–117 grams. Ochre to reddish-brown upperparts contrast with white underparts and a white band across the hips. The hind feet carry three toes, with fused central metatarsals and stiff hairs beneath that aid movement over sand. Its long tail ends in a black tassel tipped white, a conspicuous balancing structure when the animal bounds on its enlarged hind legs. (Wikipedia, northern three-toed jerboa account)

This jerboa occupies sandy desert, semi-desert, sandy pasture and occasionally pine forest on sand across Central Asia, including Mongolia. Solitary or paired animals maintain several temporary burrows and a deeper main burrow containing nest and food chambers. They emerge after dark, feeding mainly on seeds but also taking grasses, shoots, leaves, bulbs, roots and insects. Females can produce two or three summer litters. In the northern range, animals hibernate deep underground from roughly November to March, avoiding the harshest winter conditions. (Wikipedia, northern three-toed jerboa account)

Description: Wildlife of Mongolia guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)