The fat-tailed gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi)
Appearance and features, habitat, social behaviour
The fat-tailed gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi) is a medium-sized gerbil with a length of 10.5 to 13.5 cm, a tail length of 4.5 to 6 cm, and a weight of 30 to 65 g. It differs from closely related species by its sharper snout and short, strongly thickened tail, the tissues of which are used by Pachyuromys duprasi to store fat.
is used to store fat. Their soft, dense coat is coloured sandy-brown above, lighter on the abdomen. Pachyuromys duprasi inhabit the arid deserts, semi-deserts and steppes of northern Africa: from Morocco to Libya, with isolated populations also known from Mauritania and Egypt.
Pachyuromys duprasi dig long branching burrows with nesting chambers; they are most active at night. Their reproduction is confined to the wet season, during which females have time to raise 2-3 broods of 3-6 cubs. Pregnancy lasts 19-22 days, the cubs are born blind and naked.
What do Pachyuromys duprasi feed on?
The diet of Pachyuromys duprasi includes insects and plant food - rhizomes and bulbs, seeds, green shoots. In captivity they also feed on cereals, minced meat, cheese, milk, lettuce and alfalfa, but their favourite treat is live crickets.
