Pouched gerbil

The Brewers gerbil ( Desmodilliscus braueri ) is a rodent of the long-tailed mouse family and the only species in the genus Desmodilliscus.

The species is similar to other gerbils in the physique. It reaches a head-body length of 4 to 7.5 cm and a weight of 6 to 14 grams. The 3.5 to 5 cm long tail is hairy, but is not equipped with a tassel at the end. The coat color on the back is brown sand and is then gradually brighter toward the whitish belly. In contrast to all other long-tailed mice, the Brewers gerbil has three molars in the upper jaw and two molars in the mandible per half of the jaw. From other gerbils, the species differs also in the cranial structure.

The Brewers gerbil lives in north central Africa from Mauritania and Senegal on the Atlantic to Sudan on the Red Sea. She stays in the Sahel region, which is characterized by a bush savannah passed.

The underground construction of this rodent consists of several tunnels and chambers. The gerbil is usually observed at night in front of the building and hides in it for longer rainy seasons. Females 26 to 35 days pregnant and have two or three cubs per litter.

The IUCN lists the Brewers gerbil as not threatened (Least Concern ).

Reference literature

• Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 vols. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD, inter alia, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9.