Balochistan gerbil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Balochistan gerbil |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gerbillus
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| Species: |
nanus
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| Synonyms | |
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The Balochistan gerbil is also known as the dwarf gerbil. Its scientific name is Gerbillus nanus. This small rodent lives in many places. You can find it from Morocco in North Africa all the way to western Asia. It's a very common animal. Because it's found in so many areas and isn't facing big dangers, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it's a "least concern" species. This means it's not currently at risk of disappearing.
Contents
What Does the Balochistan Gerbil Look Like?
The Balochistan gerbil is a medium-sized and slender animal. It looks a bit like Wagner's gerbil. Its body, from head to tail base, is about 140 to 235 mm (5.5 to 9.3 in) long. Its tail adds another 80 to 145 mm (3.1 to 5.7 in) to its length.
Colors and Markings
The fur on its back and head is yellowish-brown. It has a greyish tint because the hairs are grey at their base. The sides of its body are a lighter grey. Its belly and the inside of its legs are white. There's a clear line where the yellowish-brown fur meets the white fur.
This gerbil also has special white spots. You can see one white patch above each eye. There's another white patch behind each ear. A larger white patch is found on its rump, which is its lower back area.
Its Tail
The top of its tail is yellowish-brown near its body. It becomes greyer towards the tip. The underside of the tail is white. The very end of the tail has a tuft of longer hairs. These hairs can be different colors, but they are usually grey.
Where Do Balochistan Gerbils Live?
The Balochistan gerbil lives in a very wide area. You can find it across northern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and western Asia.
African Homes
In Africa, it lives in the northwestern parts, north of the Sahara Desert. This includes countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. It also lives in the Sahel region, which is south of the Sahara. Here, you can find it in Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Chad.
Asian Homes
A separate group of these gerbils lives in Asia. They are found in the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East. Their range also extends into Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northwestern India.
Preferred Habitats
These gerbils usually live in deserts and semi-desert areas. They prefer places with more plants. This includes spots like wadis (dry riverbeds), oases (fertile spots in deserts), and sandy-clay plains. They like areas where the soil is quite deep.
