© Elias Neideck / CC BY-SA 3.0Greater Egyptian Jerboa
The Greater Egyptian Jerboa is a striking bipedal rodent native to the arid regions of North Africa and the Middle East. Its tail, at roughly 20 cm, is noticeably longer than its 13 cm body, helping it balance while leaping. Strictly nocturnal, it rests quietly through the day and becomes active after dark, hopping about on its powerful hind legs. Jerboas rarely tame down to handling and move with quick, skittish reflexes, so keeping them well takes experience and careful setup. With its oversized eyes and distinctive hopping gait, this species has real ornamental appeal, but recreating a dry, desert-like enclosure makes it best suited to advanced keepers.
View Greater Egyptian Jerboa encyclopedia →Breeder Wanted!
List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!
BreederDirect's 6 Transparency Commitments
Every Small Pets listing from Breeder includes the information below. We guarantee transparency through health checks, vaccinations, microchips, and more.
- Hand-Tamed
- Health Checked
- Vaccinated
- Microchipped
- Real Photos
- Age Specified
Browse all 168 breeds
Care Difficulty
No listings match your filters
Adjust your filters, or get notified when new listings arrive.
Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.
Browse other categories
Verified breeders (preview)
Are you raising small pets?
Register as a breeder and connect with buyers directly.
Apply as a breederGreater Egyptian Jerboa key facts
- Care level
- Advanced
- Lifespan
- 5-6 years (in captivity)
- Size
- Head-body about 13cm, tail about 20cm, about 135-140g
- Diet
- Seeds, grains, vegetables and roots, some insects
- Cage
- A powerful jumper needing a tall, roomy tank. Provide deep sand or soil for digging and a dry sand bath; avoid wire, which injures legs and tails during leaps.
- Grooming
- Sand bathing keeps the coat clean, so no grooming is needed; keep bedding dry and clean.
- Temperament
- Timid and nervous, leaping hard enough to injure itself when startled. Strictly nocturnal; do not disturb by day. Rarely tame, better as a display animal.
- Notes
- Cold triggers hibernation, so keep room temperature stable. A dryland animal intolerant of damp; it gets most water from food but a bottle should still be provided. Never hold by the tail.
About Greater Egyptian Jerboa
A bipedal jerboa native to the arid regions of North Africa and the Middle East, with a tail longer than its body and strictly nocturnal habits. Captive lifespan is 5-6 years; best suited to advanced keepers.
7 things to know before welcoming a Greater Egyptian Jerboa
1Strictly Nocturnal Habits
Jerboas sleep through most of the day and become active only after dark. Care and observation naturally center on evening and nighttime hours.
2Powerful Jumper, Escape Risk
Their hind legs generate surprisingly powerful jumps, often higher than expected. A securely lidded, sufficiently tall enclosure is essential to prevent escapes.
3Needs a Dry Environment
Native to arid habitats, jerboas do not tolerate damp conditions well. Choose substrate and ventilation that keep the enclosure consistently dry.
4Not Easily Tamed
Naturally wary and quick to flee, jerboas rarely become comfortable with handling. They're best enjoyed as an animal to watch rather than hold.
5Delicate Body, Handle Gently
Their long hind legs and tail are delicate and easily injured under rough restraint. Handle gently and carefully during health checks or transfers.
6A Social Species in the Wild
In the wild, jerboas are reported to gather in large communal burrows, so they are considered social animals. Whether individuals can be housed together in captivity should be judged carefully case by case, with advice from a specialist shop.
7Digging and Gnawing Instincts
Jerboas have a natural instinct to dig burrows and gnaw on materials. A deep substrate layer lets them express this behavior, and cage surroundings should use gnaw-safe materials.
Frequently asked questions about Greater Egyptian Jerboa
- Q.Does the Greater Egyptian Jerboa tame down to handling?
- A.They tend to be wary and quick-moving, so they rarely become comfortable being handled. They're best kept as an animal to watch rather than touch.
- Q.Can I see it active during the day?
- A.It's strictly nocturnal and spends most of the day resting. To see it active, observe it in the evening or at night.
- Q.How long do they typically live?
- A.In captivity, they're reported to live around 5 to 6 years. It's worth preparing for a long-term commitment before bringing one home.
- Q.Can I keep more than one together?
- A.In the wild they are reported to gather in communal burrows, so they are considered social animals. However, whether they can be housed together in captivity may vary by individual, so consult a specialist shop and decide carefully while watching how they behave.
- Q.Is this a good species for beginners?
- A.Recreating a dry habitat and managing their quick, skittish movements takes some experience, so this species is considered better suited to advanced keepers.
Useful tools for Greater Egyptian Jerboa care
Learn more about Greater Egyptian Jerboa in the encyclopedia
View Greater Egyptian Jerboa encyclopedia entry →
Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
More in this category
Can't find the one you're looking for?
Post your wishes for free and breeders with matching animals will contact you with introductions.