North African gerbil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North African gerbil |
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| Dipodillus campestris, Tiguentourine gas field, In Amenas, Algeria | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Dipodillus
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| Species: |
campestris
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| Synonyms | |
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Gerbillus campestris (Loche, 1867) |
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The North African gerbil (Dipodillus campestris) is a small rodent that lives in North Africa. It belongs to the Muridae family, which includes mice and rats. You can find these gerbils in places like farms, rocky areas, and hot Saharan deserts.
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What Does the North African Gerbil Look Like?
The North African gerbil has soft fur and a long tail. Its fur is usually cinnamon or orange-brown on its back. Each hair is grey at the bottom, then sandy or golden-brown, and sometimes has a black tip.
Its cheeks and throat are white. Sometimes, it even has a dark stripe on its nose. The underside of its body is white, with a clear line where the top and bottom colors meet.
Its legs and feet are white, and the bottoms of its feet are bare. The tail is very long, almost twice the length of its head and body! It's golden-brown on top and white underneath. The very tip of its tail has a small tuft of longer hair, like a tiny brush.
Where Do North African Gerbils Live?
You can find the North African gerbil in many countries. These include Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. They might also live in Chad and Mauritania.
Their homes can be different depending on the area. However, they generally prefer places with rocks and plants. They don't usually live in sandy or gravelly areas.
Life and Habits of the North African Gerbil
The North African gerbil is a nocturnal animal. This means it is most active at night. During the day, it rests in a burrow that it digs underground.
The time of year when they have babies changes by location. In Egypt, they often breed during the winter rains. In North Sudan, it happens after the short wet season, usually from September to November. A mother gerbil typically has about five babies at a time.
Scientists haven't studied much about what these gerbils eat. However, like many rodents, they likely feed on seeds, plants, and insects.
Sometimes, farmers see the North African gerbil as a pest. This is because, as burrowing animals, they can dig in farm fields. This might affect how well crops grow.
Conservation Status
The North African gerbil is a common animal. It can live well in many different types of environments. In some places, like Morocco, it is even considered an agricultural pest.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) checks on animals around the world. They have listed the North African gerbil as a species of "least concern". This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
