Sundevall's jird (''Meriones crassus'') is a species of

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), order Rodentia ( ), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and Mandible, lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal specie ...

in the family of

Muridae The Muridae, or murids, are either the largest or second-largest family of rodents and of mammals, containing approximately 870 species, including many species of mice, rats, and gerbils found naturally throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. ...

. It is found in

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and possibly

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. Its natural

habitat In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ...

is hot

desert A desert is a landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions create unique biomes and ecosystems. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About one-third of the la ...

Description

Sundevall's jird is a medium-sized gerbilline rodent with an average mass of about 100 g (3.53 oz).Khokhlova, Irina S., et al.
Is the Feeding and Reproductive Performance of the Flea, Xenopsylla ramesis, Affected by the Gender of Its rodent Host, Meriones crassus?
''Journal of Experimental Biology'' 212 (2009): 1429-35. Print. They can range in sizes depending on sex. The average length (not including the tail) is about 15 cm (5.91 in).Koffler, Barry R. "Meriones crassus." ''Mammalian Species'' 9 (1972): 1-4. Print. Their tails can be as long as their bodies. Sundevall's jird has a soft, fine, light brown fur, with a lighter underbelly.

Distribution and habitat

The Sundevall's jird is found in dry habitats like deserts across northern Africa. It can be found in rocky areas, but prefers sand-like soil. They create burrows in the sand where they create nests.Degen, A. Allan, Irina S. Khokhlova, and Michael Kam. "Milk Production of the Dam Limits the Growth Rate of Sundevall's Jird (Meriones crassus) pups." ''Mammaliam Biology'' 76.3 (2011): 285-89. Print.

Reproduction

Like any mammal, the Sundevall's jird cares for its offspring by producing milk. Being a relatively small mammal, the Sundevall's jird must intake an increased amount of calories in order to produce enough milk. Gestation can last between 18 and 22 days and they give birth to between 2 and 7 pups. Young are born without fur, are blind, and have very long whiskers. The breeding season for Sundevall's jird is from January to September, with peak times from February to May.

Parasites

The Sundevall's jird can be occupied by a variety of parasites, especially species of fleas. It has been found that male Sundevall's jird harbor more species of parasites than females do, which is still being studied. Along with parasites come the parasites of parasites, in this case bacteria. Bacteria can be transmitted to the Sundevall's jird by the flea biting the rodent.Morick, Danny, et al. "Transmission Dynamics of Bartonella sp. Strain OE 1-1 in Sundevall's Jirds (Meriones crassus)." ''Applied and Environmental Microbiology'' 79.4 (2013): 1258-64. Print.

References

Bibliography

* *Palgi, N., Y. Naaman, and A. Haim. "Body Temperature Daily Rhythms of the Fat Jird Meriones crassus: Effects of Beta and Alpha Adrenergic Blockers." ''Journal of Thermal Biology'' 31.1-2 (2006): 177-80. Print. *Koffler, Barry R. "Meriones crassus." ''Mammalian Species'' 9 (1972): 1-4. Print. *Degen, A. Allan, Irina S. Khokhlova, and Michael Kam. "Milk Production of the Dam Limits the Growth Rate of Sundevall's Jird (Meriones crassus) pups." ''Mammaliam Biology'' 76.3 (2011): 285-89. Print. *Khokhlova, Irina S., et al. "Is the Feeding and Reproductive Performance of the Flea, Xenopsylla ramesis, Affected by the Gender of Its odent Host, Meriones crassus?" ''Journal of Experimental Biology'' 212 (2009): 1429-35. Print. *Morick, Danny, et al. "Transmission Dynamics of Bartonella sp. Strain OE 1-1 in Sundevall's Jirds (Meriones crassus)." ''Applied and Environmental Microbiology'' 79.4 (2013): 1258-64. Print. {{Taxonbar, from=Q1769338 Meriones (rodent) Jird, Sundevall's Mammals of Afghanistan Mammals described in 1842 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot