One of the desert’s most charismatic little creatures, hopping across the sands of North Africa and the Middle East with kangaroo-like leaps. At first glance, it looks like a mix between a mouse and a miniature kangaroo, with a tiny head and body, long, powerful back legs, and an extraordinarily long tail tipped with a fluffy tuft of fur. This tail isn’t just for looks—it works as a balancing pole when the jerboa bounds through the desert, sometimes covering several feet in a single hop. Unlike ordinary rodents that scurry along the ground, the Greater Egyptian jerboa moves by bipedal hopping, a unique adaptation that helps it travel quickly over shifting sands while escaping predators.

Its incredible adaptation to harsh desert life sets the Greater Egyptian jerboa apart from many of its rodent relatives. Water is scarce in the blazing Sahara and surrounding deserts, yet this little mammal can survive without drinking a drop for long periods. Instead, it gets almost all the moisture it needs from the seeds and plants it eats. Its kidneys are highly efficient, conserving every bit of water and producing very concentrated urine. This makes it a master of survival in an environment where most animals would dehydrate quickly.

Unlike rodents that chew on everything in sight, jerboas are more selective, choosing energy-rich foods that keep them fueled for their nightly leaps. Their long whiskers help them sense the ground and navigate in the dark, while their sharp hearing keeps them alert for owls, foxes, and snakes that prowl the desert night. Their movements are unpredictable—jerboas often zigzag and make long, sudden leaps, confusing predators and giving them a much better chance to escape.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Algeria

2016

Egypt

2016

Israel

2016

Libya

2016

Morocco

2016

Saudi Arabia

2016

Tunisia

2016