Jaculus (rodent)
The gerbils ( Jaculus ) are probably the best known species of gerbils. Despite the name, the four species are widespread not only in deserts, but prefer arid areas in North Africa and West Asia. They are found in diverse habitats such as scree and relatively flat sandy deserts, salt deserts, rocky valleys and pastures.
Features
The species are small to medium sized gerbils with a head-body length of 9.5 cm to 16 cm. They have three toes on each hind foot. The toes are surrounded by a fringe of stiff hairs. The tail is up to 150 % of the body length (12,8 and 25 cm ) very long and has a two-tone black and white Endquaste on. The ears are short with less than half of the Hinterfußlänge. The upper incisors have a groove and are white. In the first two teeth of the upper jaw tooth enamel forms a Z. 16 present teeth (1/1, 0/ 0, 0 / 0, 3 /3). The top is pale to dark beige or yellowish brown, dyed the underside whitish.
Way of life
Like all gerbils are gerbils nocturnal animals during the day staying in their buildings. The widely branched ductal system of their caves may have a depth of up to two meters. The sleeping chamber is lined with camel's hair, or plant parts. From the bedroom, which is also used as a nesting chamber, one to two escape tunnels directly outside. In the construction of Jaculus orientalis there is an additional pantry.
With their powerful hind legs gerbils can jump up to a meter high and several meters wide. In search of food they put distances up to 14 km. The diet consists of roots, seeds and other plant parts. The total water requirement is obtained from the diet.
In most parts of its range gerbils do not hibernate and are even still in the coldest nights running. However, some claim zoologists to have found hibernating in certain regions, for example in Iraq and Morocco. There is certainly, however, a kind of torpor ( sleep paralysis ), fall into the gerbils in food scarcity and cold, rainy weather. By lowering all body functions they can save energy and thus survive the unfavorable times for them better. Jaculus jaculus lives solitary, the other species live in small groups.
Gerbils, up to four times a year have offspring in captivity. A litter consists of three to four (exceptionally 2-10 ) Boys who will come after 25 to 40 days gestation period to the world. The life expectancy in captivity for over six years.
System
The following four species are commonly attributed to this genus:
- Small gerbil, Jaculus jaculus, Morocco and Senegal to the south-western Iran and Somalia
- Blanford jerboa, Jaculus blanfordi, Iran, Afghanistan, Southwest Pakistan
- Large gerbil, Jaculus orientalis, Morocco to southern Israel
- Turkmen jerboa, Jaculus turcmenicus, Southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan to the Kyzyl Kum desert in Uzbekistan
Occasionally, the Lichtenstein jerboa is expected in this genre, but usually is placing them in a separate genus Eremodipus.
Humans and gerbils
Gerbils are held by small animal breeders. However, it is nocturnal, energetically moving animals so that is sometimes doubted whether a welfare in an apartment may be possible.
The Great gerbil applicable in parts of North Africa as a grain pest. It is therefore fought in many areas. In addition, the gerbils are eaten by some Bedouin tribes. Despite the hunting but true none of the four species as endangered, even though the population of Jaculus blanfordi decreases.