How difficult is it to keep Shaw's Jird?

Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.

What is the lifespan of Shaw's Jird?

The average lifespan of Shaw's Jird is 5-7 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

How large does Shaw's Jird get?

Shaw's Jird typically reaches About 36cm total length (tail about half), 140-170g as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Shaw's Jird?

Shaw's Jird feeds on: Rodent pellets, grains, vegetables. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Shaw's Jird?

The price of Shaw's Jird varies significantly depending on variety, age, sex, and the individual animal's condition. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Shaw's Jird

Intermediate

Meriones shawi

A large North African jird about 36 cm in total length, half of it tail. Sandy-coated with large ears and highly drought-tolerant; males reach about 170 g.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Temperature

18〜26℃

Lifespan

5-7 years

Size

About 36cm total length (tail about half), 140-170g

Humidity

40〜60%

Diet

Rodent pellets, grains, vegetables

About

Shaw's jird is a large gerbil of the subfamily Gerbillinae described by Duvernoy in 1842, found across North Africa in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, where it lives on arable land, pasture and village gardens. The coat is sandy, often dark, and the ears are larger and less hairy than a gerbil's. Well-developed kidneys let it survive long periods without drinking in semi-desert. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Taxonomically, populations from Morocco to northern Algeria and Tunisia were split off in 2000 as the Moroccan jird (Meriones grandis), so the identity of pet-trade animals needs checking. In Japan it is only occasionally handled by exotic pet specialists.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Shaw's Jird

The Shaw's Jird lives 5-7 years.

Wild lifespan is 1-2 years, and breeding intensifies in the rainy season; in the Algerian highlands it is the main prey of barn owls.

Size of the Shaw's Jird

The Shaw's Jird grows to About 36cm total length (tail about half), 140-170g.

Total length is about 36 cm with the tail making up roughly half, and weight reaches about 170 g in males and 140 g in females, far larger than the Mongolian gerbil.