Comb-toed jerboa
| Comb-toed jerboa | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Paradipus | ||||||||||||
| Vinogradov , 1930 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Paradipus ctenodactylus | ||||||||||||
| ( Vinogradov , 1929) |
The comb- toed jerboa ( Paradipus ctenodactylus ) is a mammal in the family jerboa and the only species in the genus Paradipus .
features
This jerboa reaches a head-torso length of 11 to 15 cm and a tail length of 20 to 22 cm. The weight is 70 to 80 g. The fur color on the back varies between hazel brown and cinnamon brown with shades of pink. The belly is white in color. The white circles around the eyes and the white tassel at the tail end are striking . Characteristic features on the head are yellow spots on the cheeks and the ears, which are 4 cm long, are quite large. The comb-toed jerboa has no grooves on its upper incisors and there are no premolar teeth.
It is named after the stiff, comb-like hair on the sides of the three toes on the hind feet, which enable better locomotion on the sandy bottom. With the help of this hair, the animals can jump 3 m far and 1.5 m high. Vertical jumps from the stand for orientation are noticeable. Of the toes of the hind feet, the middle one is significantly larger. The front paws, however, are equipped with grave claws .
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the species extends from southwestern Kazakhstan across central Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan . There is an isolated population in northeastern Iran . The comb-toed jerboa lives in sandy deserts with few scattered bushes.
Way of life and status
In summer, the specimens dig 1.5 to 2.5 m long, simple tunnels that are used for a maximum of one month as a construction. In winter construction, the corridors are 5 m long and 3 m deep and at the end there is a chamber that is padded with parts of plants. At the beginning of winter, the crest-toed jerboa can withstand -20 ° C, but when the temperatures are permanently at -15 ° C, it begins to hibernate . This usually lasts from December to February.
The species is nocturnal from spring to autumn . It is mostly on the ground and occasionally climbs in plants. Various parts of the plant such as seeds , grass, flowers, fruits and green shoots serve as food . The territories of the individual animals have a radius of 2 km around the burrow, but they often overlap.
Females usually have two litters a year, one in spring and one in summer. Up to six young animals are born per litter, usually three or four. Young animals do not mate until the first winter.
The crest-toed jerboa is quite common and is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern .
Reference literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Paradipus ).
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Volume 2. 6th edition. 1999, pp. 1335-1336, Google books .
- ↑ a b c d Paradipus ctenodactylus in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2012. Posted by: Tsytsulina, K., 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2013.