Long-eared jerboa

The long-eared jerboa ( Euchoreutes naso ) is a living in East Asia rodent species from the family of gerbils ( Dipodidae ).

Features

Long-eared jerboa reach a body length 7-9 inches, which must be added a 15-16 cm long tail comes. Their fur is yellowish or pink at the top, the bottom is white. The long tail is covered over its entire length with short hair, only at the top there is a black and white tassel. Like most gerbils they are characterized by the elongated hind legs that allow them a hopping locomotion. Between the toes are small bristles that prevent it from sinking in the sand. Named giving feature is the gigantic enlarged ears - the greatest of all gerbils - are a third longer than the head. Such enlarged ears are often found wüstenbewohnenden animals, these are mostly used for cooling.

Distribution and habitat

The range of this jerboas comprises the southern Mongolia and the Chinese province of Xinjiang, where they are found among others in the Taklimakan Desert and in various mountain countries in the north of the province. Their habitat are deserts and semi-deserts, often covered with sand; they are sometimes also found in steppe and mountain regions.

Way of life

Very little is known about the habits of these animals. It is believed that they are like other gerbils mainly nocturnal and retreat during the day in self-dug tunnels and burrows under the ground. Some gerbils also hold a winter sleep, whether this is true also for the long-eared jerboa, is not known.

The food of these animals is likely to consist mostly of insects, and they can also capture flying animals by fast, high jumps. Some of them are also likely to take plant parts to himself.

Of their reproduction is not known.

Endangering

Because of human interference in their habitat, the IUCN lists the species as endangered ( endangered ). It is estimated that the population has declined in the last ten years by at least 50%.