Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sundevall's Jird
IntermediateMeriones crassus
Desert rodent similar to gerbils but larger. Gentle temperament and easy to tame. Medium-sized and handleable.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
18〜26℃
Lifespan
4-6 years
Size
12-16cm / 80-120g
Humidity
40〜60%
Diet
Gerbil pellets, seeds, hay, dried vegetables
About
Sundevall's jird (Meriones crassus), also known as the thick-tailed jird, is a medium-sized gerbil distributed across the desert and semi-arid zones of North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, including Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Adults measure 12–16 cm in body length with a well-furred tail of similar length, and weigh 80–120 g—larger than the common Mongolian gerbil. Their coat is sandy to pale brown. Well-adapted to desert life, they enjoy sand-bathing and engage in active burrowing. A glass enclosure with at least 10 cm of deep, diggable substrate is recommended. Diet consists primarily of seeds, grains, and dried vegetation; high-moisture foods should be offered sparingly. Optimal temperature is 20–28 °C. They are social by nature and should be housed in pairs or small same-sex groups. Common health concerns include neoplasia, skin conditions, and GI disorders. Lifespan is 3–5 years.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Basic Info
Origin
Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya
Lifespan
4-6 years
Size
12-16cm / 80-120g
Temperature
18〜26℃
Humidity
40〜60%
Diet
Gerbil pellets, seeds, hay, dried vegetables
Care Guide
References & Sources
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Meriones crassus Sundevall, 1842
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sundevall's Jird Listings
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