Highveld gerbil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Highveld gerbil |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gerbilliscus
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| Species: |
brantsii
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The highveld gerbil (Gerbilliscus brantsii) is a small, furry rodent. It lives in several countries in southern Africa. You can find it in places like Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
This gerbil makes its home in dry grasslands, open shrublands, and even some temperate deserts. It is a common animal with a wide range. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" species. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
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What Does the Highveld Gerbil Look Like?
The highveld gerbil is a medium-sized rodent. It has very soft, fluffy fur. Each hair has a special pattern like a "V" shape. Its body, from head to tail base, grows to about 135 mm (5.3 in) long.
This gerbil has a narrow head. It has long whiskers and a pointed nose. Its eyes are large, and its chin is white. The ears are long with rounded tips. The fur on its back is a pale reddish-brown color, mixed with some brown. Its belly is whitish or a light grey-yellow.
The highveld gerbil's back legs are much longer than its front legs. This helps it move around. Its tail is long, about the same length as its head and body. The part of the tail closest to its body is the same color as its back. The far end of the tail is white.
Where Do Highveld Gerbils Live?
The highveld gerbil is native to southern Africa. Its home range includes many countries. These are Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
These gerbils usually live in grassy plains. They prefer areas with scattered bushes or open woodlands. They like sandy soils for digging their homes. You might also find them near marshes and wet areas with peaty soils.
Highveld Gerbil Life and Habits
Highveld gerbils are quite social animals. Several of them often live close to each other. They dig complex burrows in loose, sandy soil. These underground homes can stretch for up to 6 m (20 ft)! Each burrow has several entrances. It also has one main chamber where the gerbils build their nest.
These gerbils are nocturnal. This means they are most active at night. They are especially busy around sunset and sunrise. Their diet includes mostly plants. They eat green plant parts and roots. They also eat a small number of insects.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female highveld gerbils can have many litters each year. They might have five or six litters annually. The babies grow inside the mother for about three weeks. This is called the gestation period. On average, a mother gerbil will have three young in each litter.
