Large jird with distinct black tail tuft. Yellow to orange-brown above, dark with dense, soft fur. Underparts white with a narrow orange line running along the demarcation and onto wrist and thigh. Feet white. Soles of hind feet par­tially haired. Claws black. Head largely grayish with white around eye. Ears moderately sized. Unpigmented and with small, whitish patch behind base of each ear. Tail long, yellow to orange-brown above, not significantly bicolored, and dark orange at base. Tail brush distinct, black, reaching up to half the length of the tail.

Meriones libycus is spread widely across the Middle East and Northern Africa. In Africa they are found mainly in Libya and Egypt, while in Asia they spread as far west as Afghanistan and also into the northern parts of Iran. (van Veen 1999, Nowak 1999, Barker 1999)

Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native ); ethiopian (Native )

33 records. Latest in 1992 (Wadi El-Rayan).

Narrow (Mediterranean coast and northern Western Desert). AOO=113.4 km². EOO=142180.2 km². 7 locations.

Narrow (across North Africa through Afghanistan to China).

Meriones libycus, also known as the Libyan Jird, is very similar in size and shape to many other types of jirds. They are 5 to 6 inches long and have a tale that is roughly the same length as the rest of their body. Coloration is variable, but most commonly M. libycus is sandy-colored or yellowish dorsally, with a white or light colored ventral surface. The feet are almost exlusively white with black nails; however, there can also be a orange colored stripe that runs up the foot in some specimens. The ears are not pigmented,and the tail is usually the same color as the rest of the dorsal surface. The only physical feature that makes the body of the Libyan Jird look any different from any other gerbil species is that in M. libycus the head may be narrower by a small degree. (Jird Site 1997, van Veen 1999, Nowak 1999, Barker 1999)

Average mass: 85 g.

Average mass: 100 g.

Length 123–155 mm, tail 115–157 mm, weight 65–109 gm.

Type specimen from the “Libische Wüste” (Libyan Desert), usually interpreted as near Alexandria.

• Terrestrial

Meriones libycus lives in the low lying areas of the desert Middle east. The are mainly restricted to the valleys and lowlands and rarely venture into areas of higher elevation. They often make their homes in areas where there is a large amount vegetation present, as plants are a vital source of food. (van Veen 1999, Barker 1999)

Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland

The Libyan jird inhabits a variety of desert habitats, generally in areas with stabilised dunes, but is absent from mountain areas. It is often found in river plains, close to wadis, in vegetated areas or oasis gardens, or sometimes in arable land. Colonies typically burrow beneath vegetated hummocks.

Meriones libycus eat the seeds of a wide array of grasses in the wild. They also eat some types of leaves, as well as the succulent fruits that can be found in the desert areas in which they live. Which grasses they choose to use as a food source is variable and depends mainly on where the jird is located. In areas that are under human cultivation, they will feed on potato and tomato crops. (van Veen 1999, Barker 1999)

The Libyan jird is well adapted to the desert environment. Able to extract water efficiently from its food, it also minimizes water loss by not sweating, and by producing dry faeces and concentrated urine. However, unlike many jird and gerbil species, which emerge from the burrow only at night, the Libyan jird may also be active during the day. The diet consists mainly of plant material, including seeds, leaves, roots, bulbs and fruit, as well as occasional insects such as locusts. The jird often returns to the burrow to eat, and impressive quantities of food, sometimes as much as 10 kilograms of seed, may be stored within chambers inside the burrow, which itself may be more than 1.5 meters deep and radiate outwards several meters in a series of tunnels.

The Libyan jird is reported to be solitary in some areas, but to form small colonies in others, communicating with a range of vocalizations and with thumping of the hind feet. A highly mobile species, it frequently changes burrow or even migrates if foraging conditions deteriorate. There is little information available on the breeding behavior of this species, but, like other jirds, it is likely to breed year round in some areas, or during the cooler winter and spring months or after rainfall in others. The female may produce two to three litters a year in favorable conditions. As in the related Sundevall’s jird, the female may give birth to around 3 to 7 young, after a gestation period of up to 31 days. The young are born naked, blind and helpless, and are dependent on the female until the fur is grown and the eyes open at around two weeks. Young jirds reach sexual maturity between two to six months old.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 5.2 years.

The exact processes involved in the reproduction of M. libycus in the wild are not well documented. It is assumed that they have reproductive patterns similar to other jirds and gerbils. It is known that they have litters of anywhere from three to six, but this can be highly variable. Most evidence shows that the breeding takes place most heavily in winter, but it is also possible that breeeding takes place year-round on a lower level. The gestation period is usually around 20 days, with the newborn young being fully independent after 4-5 weeks. (van Veen 1999, Barker 1999)

Average birth mass: 5.33 g.

Average gestation period: 26 days.

Average number of offspring: 5.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 91 days.

Meriones libycus is not endangered as it is fairly common across a wide area. Sometimes their numbers can be a problem, as in particular high times of breeding the masses of jirds can do damage to crops. (Barker 1999)

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Native, resident.

Least Concern.

Uncommon.

In agricultural areas near their home ranges, Meriones libycus can do serious damage to crops. They eat seeds, fruit, and leaves, so any crop that is being produced is a likely food source. They especially are known for damaging tomato and potato crops. (Barker 1999)

Meriones libycus is sometimes kept as a pet. (van Veen 1999)