How does the jerboa live and eat?

Today, jerboa are a fairly common animal, which not only inhabits the will, but is also found in the home. When you look at these animals, natural questions can arise, for example, about what the jerboa eat and where these crumbs live, what kind of lifestyle they have and how to keep them in the apartment.

Short description

This animal has a small growth, depending on the species, its body can be from 5 cm to 25. Compared with the body, the animal looks large, and the muzzle has a blunted shape. The eyes of the jerboa are attracted in large sizes. Also surprising is his tail, which is longer than the body and often ends with a tassel. The hind legs of these kids are very developed, they are designed for powerful jumps. The front paws, on the contrary, are very short and are adapted only for burrowing the mink and keeping the food near the mouth. Its round, more often large ears speak about a good hearing, which allows to survive the choke in the wild. This mammalian species is referred to a detachment called "rodents". Jerboa have sharp incisors, which serve them not only to gnaw solid cereals, but also to build burrows. Their external characteristics are somehow reminiscent of kangaroos. They also move on the hindlimbs, but it is curious that these babies can reach speeds of up to 50 km / h, and they can jump up to three meters. According to modern data, there are 26 species of jerboa.

Where to live

Usually these animals are common in deserts and semi-deserts. Only certain subspecies live in the steppe zone. Others prefer to live on high mountains. Depending on the territory on which the animal is distributed, each species has adapted to a special soil and conditions. Also, the habitat reflects on what the jerboa eats. These animals live in homemade mink. In their shelters, they spend the whole day and only with the onset of twilight are chosen from the shelter. Returning with an early dawn to the houses, they close behind them the "door" that they make from the ground. It is interesting that mink have spare moves. If someone finds a dwelling on a fresh cork and starts to unearth it, the jerboa pops up in an unexpected place, punching the roof of the cave with its head. Residential mink is in the back of the main course, it is usually covered with shallow grass, on which the animal rest after night travel.

Food

It has already been noted that this rodent is a night traveler. At this time, he goes in search of food. But what does a jerboa, living in a flat country, eat? Usually, to get the necessary trace elements, the animal eats insects, larvae, it is also in search of bulbs and plant tubers and does not mind eating their seeds. In the deserts, the rodent searches for bushes and other possible plants to use the found stems for food. It should be said about dwarf fatty tusk. If they are planted in one terrarium, they quarrel violently, and it happens that the strongest eats the stricken. Therefore, before you put several individuals in the cage, you should find out to which species your jerboa belongs. What feeds on the animal, common in the plain, we found out. But how do they survive those who preferred to live in a mountainous area? These animals are also in search of any vegetation, which can be on the tops. In the course are the roots and green parts. Usually this food is enough for a full life.

Life of the animal

If in the summer this rodent tries to find food, then in winter it usually does not have to take care of it. At this time he is in his prepared burrows and is fast asleep. In the spring jerboas begin weddings, and by the summer there is a posterity. On the birth of an average of four babies, but in general this number varies from 1 to 8. And what does a jerboa eat while it can not find food on its own? First, the mother takes care of the baby, providing it with milk, but after a few days the baby can switch to herbal food and even insects (of course, if this kind of protein is consumed in this form).

Contents of the animal of the house

The jerboa simply can not help attracting its appearance, so some decide to have such a pet in their apartment. But it is worth remembering that this animal requires special conditions of detention. Also, we must not forget that some wild animals require a large space, and this species is just a jerboa. What the baby eats and what kind of soil he needs, you can determine if you know how he lives in freedom. Since this rodent has hind legs very jumpy, it needs a place to "clear out", otherwise it will begin to suffer pain, and it can die. But it is worth remembering that it is undesirable to let the animal walk alone in the apartment, as it will hide in a hard-to-reach place and can not only ruin the furniture, but also gnaw the wall. If the baby still "ran away," it should be caught accurately, so as not to suffice for the tail, otherwise it can be lost forever. Ideally, if you settle the pet in a large grilled aquarium (1.2 to 0.25 meters). If the crumb has got used to sandy terrain, the bottom is sandwiched by one third, for other species a layer of turf is suitable. It is worth to find out what the jerboa eats in its area, and try to feed it the same. You can not train a rodent to eat people. It can be given a mixture of cereals, non-exotic fruits and vegetables. Be sure to feed him seeds of pumpkin, sunflower, melon, dandelion leaves. It is possible to put to your favorite thin twigs of maple or willow. There must always be water in the terrarium.