Geographic Range
Jaculus orientalis
(greater Egyptian jerboa) can be found across North Africa in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia,
Libya, and Egypt. The species is especially common in Egypt and extends east through
Sinai and into southern parts of Israel; formerly, the species inhabitated areas of
Saudi Arabia.
- Biogeographic Regions
- palearctic
Habitat
Jaculus orientalis
lives in humid coastal and salt semi-deserts and in subtropical shrubland, including
rocky valleys and meadows. They are also found in barley fields of the semi-nomadic
Bedouin tribes.
- Habitat Regions
- temperate
- terrestrial
- Terrestrial Biomes
- desert or dune
- savanna or grassland
- scrub forest
- Other Habitat Features
- agricultural
Physical Description
Jaculus orientalis
is covered in white fur ventrally and pale, yellowish-dark, sandy fur dorsally. Inner
and outer ear areas are covered with thin hair. Eyelashes and sensory hairs are black,
while the whiskers are a grey-white. The long tail is also covered with thin, short
hair and ends in a tuft of black and white hair; the tail length averages 12.8 to
25 cm (5-9.8 inches). When standing,
J. orientalis
rests its tail in a curved position, providing support and balance. Males are slightly
larger than females; average body mass is 139.1 g.
The body is very compact with a large head and limbs adapted for saltatorial locomotion.
The hindlimbs are roughly four times as long as the forelimbs and are used for leverage
when the animal jumps great distances. The metatarsal bones of the hind feet are fused
together into a 'cannon bone,' and the first and fifth digits are missing, leaving
three long, flattened toes. Hair on the sides and bottom of toes increase the surface
area of the foot and aid in locomotion on sand.
Average basal metabolic rate is 3.649 kcal/kg/h and body temperature is 37.0 degrees
Celcius.
- Other Physical Features
- endothermic
- homoiothermic
- bilateral symmetry
- Sexual Dimorphism
- male larger
Reproduction
There is limited information regarding the reproduction of
J. orientalis
primarily because of its nocturnal and burrowing behavior. Other members of the genus
Jaculus
display a particular courting behavior that involves the male standing upright in
front of a female. He then lowers himself to the height of the prospective mate and
slaps her regularly with his front limbs. It is believed that most desert jerboa species
have a polygynous mating system.
- Mating System
- polygynous
Although captive breeding has been unsuccessful, it is known that
J. orientalis
breeds once a year. The breeding season is typically 5-6 months, starting in February
and culminating in July. Females average 3 offspring per litter, but may have anywhere
from 2-8 young each season. The gestation period is roughly 40 days long.
When a young
J. orientalis
is born, its forelimbs and hindlimbs are the same length, the tail is short, fur
is absent, and the eyes and ears are closed. For the first 4 weeks, pups move by crawling
with their forelimbs, dragging their body and hindlimbs along. After 4 weeks, quadruped
locomotion emerges, and after about 47 days old they are capable of bipedal locomotion.
In other members of
Jaculus
, particularly
J. jaculus
, offspring are born naked with short vibrissae, and relatively short hindlimbs and
tail. They crawl with their forelimbs in the same fashion as
J. orientalis
.
Jaculus jaculus
young open their eyes after 5 weeks and eat solid food at 6 weeks. They are independent
at 8-10 weeks and sexually mature at 8 to 12 months.
- Key Reproductive Features
- iteroparous
- seasonal breeding
- gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
- sexual
- fertilization
- viviparous
After birth, the mother stays with the young in her burrow during the breeding and
suckling season until the altricial offspring are self-sufficient. She provides the
young with food and resources as well as the protection and shelter of the burrow.
In addition, it is assumed that the mother teaches locomotion and survival skills
until independence is reached, about the time of weaning. It is unknown if the male
has a role in parental investment.
- Parental Investment
- altricial
-
pre-fertilization
- provisioning
-
protecting
- female
-
pre-hatching/birth
-
provisioning
- female
-
protecting
- female
-
provisioning
-
pre-weaning/fledging
-
provisioning
- female
-
protecting
- female
-
provisioning
Lifespan/Longevity
The lifespan of
J. orientalis
in the wild is unknown; however, the offspring of a pregnant female captured for
a study lived for over six years in captivity.
Behavior
Jaculus orientalis
is nocturnal. These jerboas emerge from their burrows during late dusk and retreat
at dawn. Related jerboas begin their nocturnal activities with a sand bath, removing
oils and fat from their fur. They groom themselves with their paws and teeth each
night. When in the burrow, they sleep most of the time or rest in a crouching position.
If in a group, jerboas like to sleep on top of one another, helping to retain body
heat in the winter months. They are social and play with each other; Bedouins have
reported that the jerboas congregate in large burrows for "play" on some nights.
Greater Egyptian jerboas dig burrows into desert sand and clay by brushing away, pushing,
or beating the soil. Burrows can range from 0.75 m to 1.75 m in depth and 1 to 2.5
m long. All burrows have a main chamber where the jerboa lives and most have an emergency
exit tunnel as well. The nest is frequently lined with camel hair, dry shredded vegetation,
and plant wool to keep the inhabitant warm. In rainy winters burrows are made on the
sides of hills to avoid flooding, and the entrance is usually left open. In the summertime,
burrows are usually on less elevated areas near vegetation; the entry hole is plugged
with soil, possibly to prevent snakes and warm air from entering.
Earlier studies observed neither hypothermia nor temperature-induced torpor in
Jaculus
, suggesting that
J. orientalis
neither hibernated nor aestivated and was active year-round. However,
Jaculus
does not store food or have cheek pouches, and reports by Bedouins suggest that these
animals disappear in the winter, implying extended below ground occupancy of burrows.
This might be in response to extremely cold temperatures or food shortages. Later
investigations supported this hypothesis and have depicted
J. orientalis
as an ideal model for deep hibernation. It has been found that during cold periods
J. orientalis
accumulates lipid reserves, developing a seasonal obesity. Following this accumulation,
the jerboa's body temperature decreases to around 9.8°C and the heart frequency drops
to about 9.3 beats/min; an active jerboa maintains a 37°C body temperature with a
heart rhythm around 300 beats/min.
- Key Behaviors
- saltatorial
- nocturnal
- motile
- sedentary
- hibernation
- social
Home Range
Since
J. orientalis
is nocturnal, it is difficult to assess their home range; however, during a field
survey, 1 to over 50 individuals were counted over a distance of 0.8 km.
Communication and Perception
Jaculus orientalis
is a social species, so different forms of communication are likely. However, only
observations based on captive animals are available. Captive jerboas make sounds to
display their anger or annoyance with other jerboas. They have also been observed
rhythmically tapping and scratching the floor of their cages. The action gives the
impression of communication; however, the animal might only be imitating digging movements
used to create burrows in the wild. Communication with scent marking or pheromones
is highly likely.
The related desert jerboa,
J. jaculus
, seems to recognize one another by smell when in captivity. Individuals close their
eyes, come together until their noses touch, and remain in contact this way for 1
to 5 seconds.
Jerboas have keen hearing and eyesight, being well-adapted to their nocturnal habits.
They also perceive chemical cues and vibrations.
- Other Communication Modes
- pheromones
- vibrations
- Perception Channels
- visual
- tactile
- acoustic
- vibrations
- chemical
Food Habits
Jaculus orientalis
feeds primarily on succulent roots, sprouts, seeds, grains, a few cultivated vegetables,
and occasional insects. They use their front paws to sift through sand and loose soil
looking for seeds, to handle food, and to climb plants.
Jaculus orientalis
derives water from green vegetation and can live without drinking free-standing water
for long periods of time. When related desert jerboa species do drink from a body
of water, they dip their front paws in the water and then lick them, instead of drinking
directly from the source.
- Animal Foods
- insects
- Plant Foods
- leaves
- roots and tubers
- seeds, grains, and nuts
Predation
Jaculus orientalis
is highly nocturnal and stays in the safety of its burrow during the day. However,
if the animal feels threatened while inside, it can escape through an emergency exit
tunnel. When alarmed at night,
J. orientalis
takes off towards its burrow or another safe, sheltered area. Its normal bipedal
walking/running gait turns into great leaps as it flees a predator. These leaps have
been measured at 1.5 to 3 m long and 1 m high. This is the animal's only mechanism
of defense, and generally it cannot get away from a predator once captured. Common
predators of
J. orientalis
include snakes, Rüppel's foxes, fennecs, owls, and humans.
- Anti-predator Adaptations
- cryptic
Ecosystem Roles
The herbaceous food habits and subsequent foraging behavior of
J. orientalis
influences its ecological community. When the animal sifts through the soil searching
for seeds and other plant matter, it disperses seeds, particularly those too hard
to eat, and aerates the soil. This can promote new plant growth and enhance water
movement in the soil. Likewise,
J. orientalis
serves as a food source for carnivorous and omnivorous species in the ecosystem.
The burrow of
J. orientalis
may be used as a home by conspecifics when the homeowner dies, or by other rodent
species. It is possible that even insects such as scorpions and spiders will make
use of abandoned burrows. In addition, tiny ticks, mites, and lice live in the fur
of jerboas.
- Ecosystem Impact
- disperses seeds
- soil aeration
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Jaculus orientalis
is hunted by Bedouin peoples for its meat, and sometimes its fur, used as trim. The
Bedouin have three strategies for capturing jerboas. They pour water into burrows,
forcing the animals to run out, they dig up burrows, or they set traps by burrow openings.
In addition,
J. orientalis
is occasionally found on the pet trade due to its tame disposition and manageable
size.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Jaculus orientalis
has been known to eat barley and ripe from Bedioun agricultural fields, damaging
the crop harvest. This negative impact often leads the Bedouin to intensify their
hunting of the species.
- Negative Impacts
- crop pest
Conservation Status
In 1996,
J. orientalis
was designated as 'Lower Risk/Near Threatened' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species. In 2004, the species was re-assessed and its status improved to 'Least Concern,'
where it now currently resides. This means the species is widespread and abundant.
Additional Links
Contributors
Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web.
Whitney Wiest (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Phil Myers (editor, instructor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
- Palearctic
-
living in the northern part of the Old World. In otherwords, Europe and Asia and northern Africa.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- temperate
-
that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).
- terrestrial
-
Living on the ground.
- desert or dunes
-
in deserts low (less than 30 cm per year) and unpredictable rainfall results in landscapes dominated by plants and animals adapted to aridity. Vegetation is typically sparse, though spectacular blooms may occur following rain. Deserts can be cold or warm and daily temperates typically fluctuate. In dune areas vegetation is also sparse and conditions are dry. This is because sand does not hold water well so little is available to plants. In dunes near seas and oceans this is compounded by the influence of salt in the air and soil. Salt limits the ability of plants to take up water through their roots.
- tropical savanna and grassland
-
A terrestrial biome. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical Africa and South America, and in Australia.
- savanna
-
A grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees, a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome.
- temperate grassland
-
A terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes (>23.5° N or S latitude). Vegetation is made up mostly of grasses, the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available. Fire and grazing are important in the long-term maintenance of grasslands.
- scrub forest
-
scrub forests develop in areas that experience dry seasons.
- agricultural
-
living in landscapes dominated by human agriculture.
- endothermic
-
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.
- bilateral symmetry
-
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
- polygynous
-
having more than one female as a mate at one time
- iteroparous
-
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
- seasonal breeding
-
breeding is confined to a particular season
- sexual
-
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
- fertilization
-
union of egg and spermatozoan
- viviparous
-
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.
- altricial
-
young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth/hatching. In birds, naked and helpless after hatching.
- saltatorial
-
specialized for leaping or bounding locomotion; jumps or hops.
- nocturnal
-
active during the night
- motile
-
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
- sedentary
-
remains in the same area
- hibernation
-
the state that some animals enter during winter in which normal physiological processes are significantly reduced, thus lowering the animal's energy requirements. The act or condition of passing winter in a torpid or resting state, typically involving the abandonment of homoiothermy in mammals.
- social
-
associates with others of its species; forms social groups.
- tactile
-
uses touch to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- pheromones
-
chemicals released into air or water that are detected by and responded to by other animals of the same species
- vibrations
-
movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- tactile
-
uses touch to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- vibrations
-
movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- cryptic
-
having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.
- soil aeration
-
digs and breaks up soil so air and water can get in
- pet trade
-
the business of buying and selling animals for people to keep in their homes as pets.
- food
-
A substance that provides both nutrients and energy to a living thing.
- herbivore
-
An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants.
- granivore
-
an animal that mainly eats seeds
References
Aulagnier, S. 2004. "Species Information- Jaculus orientalis " (On-line). 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Accessed March 19, 2006 at http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=10913 .
Eilam, D., G. Shefer. 1997. The developmental order of bipedal locomotion in the jerboa ( Jaculus orientalis ): Pivoting, creeping, quadrupedalism, and bipedalism. Developmental Psychobiology , 31/2: 137-142.
El Hilali, M., J. Veillat. 1975. Jaculus orientalis : A True Hibernator. Mammalia , 39: 401-404.
Ferguson, W. 2002. Mammals of Israel . Jerusalem: Gefen Publishing House.
Happold, D. 1967. Biology of jerboa, Jaculus jaculus butleri (Rodentia, Dipodidae), in the Sudan. Journal of Zoology, London , 151: 257-274.
Hooper, E., M. El Hilali. 1972. Temperature Regulation and Habits in Two Species of Jerboa, Genus Jaculus. Journal of Mammalogy , 53: 574-593.
Kirmiz, J. 1962. Adaptation to Desert Environment: A study on the jerboa, rat, and man . London: Butterworth & Co..
Nowak, R. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed. . Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Vaughan, T., J. Ryan, N. Czaplewski. 2000. Mammalogy, Fourth Edition . London: Thomson Learning, Inc..
2002. "BBC- Science & Nature- Wildfacts" (On-line). Lesser Egyptian jerboa, desert jerboa- Jaculus jaculus . Accessed March 21, 2006 at http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/620.shtml .
2003. Family: Birch mice, jumping mice, and jerboas. Pp. 211-224 in Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia , Vol. 16, 2 Edition. Detroit: Gale Group Inc..