Midday jird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Midday jird |
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Meriones
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| Species: |
meridianus
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The midday jird is a small animal that looks a bit like a mouse or a rat. It's also known as the midday gerbil. This furry creature is a type of rodent and belongs to the Muridae family. You can find it living in the sandy deserts of Central Asia and East Asia. Since 2008, experts have said it's a "Least Concern" animal. This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
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What Does the Midday Jird Look Like?
The midday jird is a medium-sized rodent. Its body, from head to tail, is about 9.5 to 13.4 centimeters (3.7 to 5.3 inches) long. Its tail is usually about the same length as its body. This little animal weighs between 30 and 60 grams (1.1 to 2.1 ounces).
Its fur on top can be pale yellowish-grey, dull brown, or even darker brown. The hairs often have blackish bases. The fur on its belly is white. It also has a light brown stripe across its chest.
The jird's tail is brown or a yellowish-brown color on top. It is a bit lighter underneath. Its claws are white. The bottoms of its back feet are covered in thick hair. This means you can't see any bare skin on its soles.
Where Do Midday Jirds Live?
The midday jird lives in many countries. Its home stretches from Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. You can also find it in Afghanistan, Mongolia, and western China.
These jirds prefer sandy deserts. They also live in flat areas near rivers, called alluvial plains. They especially like dry, sandy places in hilly deserts. These areas often have scattered bushes. They can live at heights up to 1,600 meters (about 5,250 feet) above sea level.
The midday jird is very common in the Aralkum area. This is a desert that formed where the Aral Sea used to be. The jirds have moved into this dried-up seabed.
Midday Jird Life and Habits
Midday jirds live in large groups called colonies. These colonies have complicated ways of living together. The entrance to their underground home, called a burrow, is usually hidden at the bottom of a plant.
Their tunnels can go up to 4 meters (13 feet) sideways. They can also go half that deep into the ground. In winter, their burrows are even deeper to stay warm.
These jirds are mostly active at night. This means they are nocturnal. However, you might see them out during the day in autumn and winter.
Their main food is seeds and fruits. But they also eat insects and some green plants. They store small amounts of food inside their burrows. Midday jirds usually have babies in the spring and autumn. A mother jird typically has about six young ones in each litter.
Midday Jird Conservation Status
The midday jird is a common animal in the places it lives. It has a very wide range across many countries. The number of jirds can change a lot. This depends on how harsh the winter weather is and how much food is available.
Experts have not found any special threats to this species. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has looked at its situation. They have decided its conservation status is "least concern". This means it is not currently at risk of becoming extinct.
