#jaculus jaculus

A lesser Egyptian jerboa (Jaculus jaculus) in Kzi'ot, Palestine

Jaculus jaculus

Jaculus translates into throw or more than likely darting out.

Family: Dipodidae (Dipodids)

Fun Fact: "They are solitary creatures that dig burrows in the sand in a counterclockwise spiral. The burrows are dug in hard ground and go to a depth of around 1.2 meters. There are a couple of additional exits off of the main burrow, and the nest is at the very bottom." (ADW)

Habitat: They are endemic to deserts of northeastern Africa (Sudan, and of course Egypt), Arabian Peninsula, and Central Asia.

Ecosystem Role: They eat plants (grains, seeds, grass, etc..) and occasionally insects. Their food contains all the moisture they need to survive. They provide food for foxes, snakes, and other mammalia predators.