The North African gerbil (Dipodillus campestris) is a small rodent inhabiting North Africa. It belongs to the Muridae family, which also includes mice and rats. The North African gerbil is a common species that flourishes in a range of different environments.
Gerbils usually live in dry places such as deserts, dry scrublands, and savannas. These rodents can also injure themselves on the wires of wire cages, and they will also chew on cages made of plastic.
A North African Gerbil (Meriones shawi).
Physical Characteristics
The North African gerbil has soft fur and a long tail. The dorsal fur is cinnamon to orange-brown. Each hair has a grey base, a sandy or golden-brown terminal section and often a black tip. The cheeks and throat are white, and there is sometimes a dark stripe on the nose.
The underparts are white, with a clear division between the dorsal and ventral colours. 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.
Read also: Culinary Traditions of North Africa
Habitat and Distribution
You can find the North African gerbil in many countries. These include Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. Their homes can be different depending on the area. However, they generally prefer places with rocks and plants.
These tails function in storing fat and water. It is used to store water and fat for hard times.
Location of the Sahara Desert and surrounding areas where North African Gerbils can be found.
Behavior and Lifestyle
The North African gerbil lives in a burrow that it digs and is a terrestrial and nocturnal animal. The North African gerbil is a nocturnal animal. This means it is most active at night.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The time of year when they have babies changes by location. The timing of breeding depends on location, but in Egypt coincides with the winter rains, and in North Sudan follows the short wet season in September to November. In Egypt, they often breed during the winter rains. In North Sudan, it happens after the short wet season, usually from September to November.
Read also: Comparing Africa and North America
The litter size is about five pups.
Diet
Scientists haven't studied much about what these gerbils eat. In the wild, they’ll eat bird’s eggs, newly hatched chicks, and insects.
Relationship with Humans
Sometimes, farmers see the North African gerbil as a pest. This is because, as burrowing animals, they can dig in farm fields. In some locations, such as in Morocco, it is reckoned to be an agricultural pest species.
Gerbils are good pets to have for someone who can properly care for them. They are clean, gentle, and easy to take care of. Gerbils are much nicer than hamsters.
The main differences between a gerbil and a mouse are that gerbils have hair on their tails, are native to Mongolia and China, and dig deep burrows in the desert.
Read also: Complex Realities of Northern Black Life
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) checks on animals around the world. The North African gerbil is a common animal. It can live well in many different types of environments. They have listed the North African gerbil as a species of "least concern".
Threats
Erosion, urbanization, and agriculture are some of the most prominent threats to the North African gerbil and other African rodents.
Most wild gerbils have a slew of predators to hide from. They range from owls to foxes to snakes. Some species are still hunted by humans for their fur. Others are endangered by human development and climate change.
How to Care for a Pet Gerbil
Comparison Table
Here's a comparison table highlighting some key differences between gerbils, hamsters, and mice:
| Feature | Gerbil | Hamster | Mouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tail | Long and hairy | Short and stubby | Long and sparsely haired |
| Activity | Diurnal | Nocturnal | Nocturnal |
| Social Behavior | Social | Solitary | Social |
| Origin | Mongolia and China | Syria | Worldwide |
