Dipodidae, from Greek δύο (dýo, “two”) and Greek πόδι (podi, “foot”), means “two feet”, in reference to the characteristic feature of these animals having elongated hind legs adapted for jumping.

Common names of members

Jerboas.

Distribution  

North Africa and Asia.

Size

Its body length, including the head, ranges from 4 to 26 cm. Its tail, which is always longer than its body, is an extra 7 to 30 cm.

Morphology

With their long tails, short forelegs, and lengthy hind legs, they resemble tiny kangaroos. Their forward-shifted foramen magnum, or the opening at the base of the skull, facilitates better two-legged movement. They often have a white hair cluster at the end of their tail, which can grow longer than their head or body. They have soft fur that is typically the color of sand. Certain species, like rabbits, have long ears, whereas other species, such mice or rats, have short ears.

Habitat & Ecology

Open arid habitats, such as deserts.

Diet

They cannot ingest hard seeds; therefore, the majority of their diet consists of plant material. Certain species willfully consume beetles and other insects they come into contact with.

Reproduction 

They might be multiple. Usually, mating occurs soon after emerging from their winter hibernation. A female raises two to six young after mating twice in the summer. The gestation period lasts for 25 to 35 days. Females breastfeed and tend to their young until they are weaned, much like most other mammals do.

Species known in Hong Kong

0

Total species known

37

Species in the collection

2

Species in Hong Kong

0

Reference

Macdonald, D. W. (2006). The Encyclopedia of mammals. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199206087.001.0001.

Savage, R. J. G., Long, M. R. (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. Facts on File.

Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Moore, T.Y., Rivera, A.M. & Biewener, A.A. (2017). Vertical leaping mechanics of the Lesser Egyptian Jerboa reveal specialization for maneuverability rather than elastic energy storage. Frontiers in Zoology, 14(32) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-017-0215-z. 

Russo, G. A., Kirk, E. C. (2013). Foramen magnum position in bipedal mammals. Journal of Human Evolution, 65(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.07.007.