Euchoreutes – Long-eared jerboa

A small rodent native to the deserts of Mongolia and China, it is an intriguing and adorable creature that looks like it jumped straight out of a children’s storybook. One of its most remarkable features is its disproportionately large ears, which are one of the largest ears relative to body size among all mammals. These ears are not just for show; they help the jerboa to hear the faint movements of insects, which are a crucial part of its diet, even under the soft sands of its desert home.

Adding to its distinctive appearance are its long, spindly hind legs, which make it look like a miniature kangaroo. These legs are not only for looks either; they allow the jerboa to leap several times its body length in a single bound. This skill is incredibly useful for escaping predators and moving quickly across the soft, shifting sands of its habitat.

The long-eared jerboa is a nocturnal creature, meaning it is most active at night. During the day, it stays burrowed under the sand to avoid the scorching desert heat and the eyes of predators. At night, it comes out to feed primarily on insects, using its excellent hearing and jumping ability to catch them.

The fur of the long-eared jerboa is another adaptation to its harsh environment. It has a fine, dense coat that varies in color from reddish-brown to pale ochre, which helps it blend into the surrounding desert landscape. Its belly is typically lighter, ranging from white to pale yellow, providing some camouflage when it is leaping through the air.