Mongolian Jird

The Mongolian jird is a robust gerbil with a 110–135mm body, 95–120mm tail, and adult mass of about 60–130g. Wild animals have sandy-brown upperparts, a paler belly, large dark eyes, rounded ears, and a long furred tail ending in a darker tuft. Adult males tend to exceed females in size. The long tufted tail and relatively powerful hindquarters distinguish it from short-tailed hamsters, while wild coloration is plainer than the many selectively bred pet varieties. (Wikipedia, Mongolian gerbil account)

In the wild this jird inhabits semidesert and steppe in Mongolia and adjoining northern China and southern Siberia. It lives socially in burrow systems that provide refuge from temperature extremes and space for nesting and stored food. Activity occurs around dawn, dusk, and night rather than under the hottest midday conditions. Seeds and green plant material form major foods, with insects taken opportunistically. The species is also widely kept in laboratories and homes, but captive strains and colour forms should not be confused with field identification of native animals. (Wikipedia, Mongolian gerbil account; Mammal Diversity Database, Mongolia country list)