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Indian desert jird

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Plantdrew (talk | contribs) at 04:45, 19 July 2017 (Plantdrew moved page Indian desert gerbil to Indian desert jird over redirect: move back to MSW3 common name as standard for mammals). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Indian desert jird
At Tal Chappar Sanctuary, Churu District, Rajasthan, India
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
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Subgenus:
Cheliones

Thomas, 1919
Species:
M. hurrianae
Binomial name
Meriones hurrianae
(Jerdon, 1867)

The Indian desert gerbil or Indian desert jird (Meriones hurrianae) is a species of gerbil found mainly in the Thar Desert in India.

Distribution

The Indian desert gerbil is found in southeastern Iran and Pakistan to northwestern India. In India they can be found in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Description

The Indian desert gerbil has a grey-brown coat with yellowish-grey belly. It is approximately 12–14 centimetres (4.7–5.5 in) long and has a tail 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) long. The distinguishing characteristics include short ears, long black claws and orange incisors.

Habitat

Gerbils inhabit desert and barren areas preferring firm soil. They are not to be found in pure sand dunes or rocky outcrops.

Desert Gerbil found at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Habits

The Gerbils are gregarious and their burrows are seen close by. Each gerbil will have at least two or more entrances to his burrow complex. Often the entrance is in the shade of a tree or near the trunk of bushes. They feed on seeds, roots, nuts, grasses and insects.

Difference between 'jirds' and 'gerbils'

Meriones hurrianae

Jirds are closely related to gerbils but are differentiated by the absence of long hind feet and the characteristic erect posture of a gerbil. The tail is generally shorter than the head and body in a jird. It also has much shorter ears.

References

  • Template:IUCN2010
  • Menon, Vivek. A Field Guide to Indian Mammals. Dorling Kindersley, Delhi, 2003.