Distributed in sand deserts, including fragmented alluvial and deluvial sands. Most abundant in hilly deserts and sandy areas with shrub cover, including small sand tracts in the steppe zone in the western part of the range. In spring and summer it is nocturnal, but in autumn (while foraging for winter) it remains active all day. Burrows are usually excavated under the roots of shrubs. Congregates in large colonies with pronounced social structure. Feeds mostly on seeds, sometimes on insects. Breeding period differs in northern and southern parts of the range. In northern parts it lasts from April until September, with two peaks in spring and autumn. In southern parts the reproductive period occurs from February or March until beginning of October, and in favourable conditions it may last throughout the year. Females that are at least a year old usually give birth to three litters per year; young females give birth once, rarely twice a year. Litter size is about 6 young.

Red List Category

Red List Criteria

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Justification

History

• 1996
  Lower Risk/least concern

It is a widespread and generally common species within much of its range, although populations undergo major fluctuations in density. Depending on winter weather conditions and the availability of essential fodder crops, density could fluctuate by ten times or more. Like other gerbil species, Meriones meridianus is a natural carrier of plague and other diseases. Population size in this species is monitored by plague control agencies.

Unknown

There are no major threat to this species.

This species occurs in a number of protected areas in different parts of its range. Approximately 17% of the species’ range in Mongolia occurs within protected areas.