Persian Jird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Persian jird |
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| Persian jird, female, two and a half years old. | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Genus: |
Meriones
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| Subgenus: |
Parameriones
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| Species: |
M. persicus
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| Binomial name | |
| Meriones persicus (Blanford, 1875)
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The Persian jird (scientific name: Meriones persicus) is a small, furry animal. It belongs to the rodent family, just like mice and rats. These interesting creatures are found in several countries. You can find them in places like Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.
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About the Persian Jird
What Do They Look Like?
The Persian jird is about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. That's about the length of a pencil! Their tail is even longer than their body. It has a cool brush-like tip at the end.
Their fur is usually a wild brown color on top. This helps them blend in with their surroundings. Their bellies are a lighter, white color.
Where Do They Live?
Persian jirds like to live in dry, rocky places. You can find them on hillsides where there aren't many plants. They also live in semi-desert areas. These are places that are very dry but not quite a full desert.
What Do They Eat?
These jirds are not picky eaters. They mostly eat dry plant material. This includes things like seeds and grains. Sometimes, they also enjoy munching on small insects.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Persian jirds usually have babies twice a year. Each time, a mother jird can have around seven pups. These baby jirds grow up quickly in their dry homes.
Persian Jirds as Pets
Some people enjoy keeping Persian jirds as pets. If you have one, they can live for a long time. They often live to be six or seven years old.
It's important to give them a good home. They need large cages. This lets them climb and leap around, which they love to do!
