Jaculus – Desert Jerboas
Hoping at night in Old World’s desert and semi-arid habitats
The genus Jaculus contains hopping desert rodents that are known as jerboas. Its member species are in semi-arid and desert regions throughout Asia and Africa. It includes the following four species: Blanford’s jerboa, Lesser Egyptian jerboa, Thaler’s jerboa, and African hammada jerboa.
All its member species are not at any immediate threat of being endangered or extinct and are classified as Least concern. They all are thought to have a large population, but their number seems to decline as cultivated lands replace their habitat.
Species in this genus
Lesser Egyptian jerboa
This ‘mini kangaroo’ leaps up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in a single jump, thanks to its incredibly large hind legs