Large jird. Above yellow-brown, rather dark. Below, white with clear demarcation marked by a strip of yellow to orange-yellow along the flanks and onto the outer forelegs and hind legs. Underside with variable amounts of pale yellow. Feet white with narrow flank strip sometimes extending to them. Claws pale. Soles of hind feet partially haired. Head as upper parts, but with gray spots above and below eye. Sparse hair on ears, with small, whitish patch at back. Tail long, paler than upper parts and not distinctly bicolored. Tuft black extending along terminal quarter of the tail.

Meriones shawi is endemic to the Mediterranean region. It is found throughout much of North Africa, ranging from the coast to as much as 500 km inland in northeastern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt (it is present along the west side of the Nile).

25 records. Latest in 1951 (Bir Lehfan, Sinai).

Localized (Mediterranean coast). AOO=100.8 km². EOO = 41822.6 km². 5 locations. Evidence of decline in occupancy since 1950.

Restricted (Morocco to Egypt).

Length 128–160 mm, tail 122–155 mm, weight 120 gm.

Type for Meriones shawi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Mammals
Sex/Stage: Male;
Preparation: Skin; Skull
Collector(s): H. Setzer
Year Collected: 1955
Locality: Gheminez, Cyrenaica, Libya, Africa

Type for Meriones shawi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Mammals
Sex/Stage: Male;
Preparation: Skin; Skull
Collector(s): H. Setzer
Year Collected: 1955
Locality: Derna, 5 Km SE, Cyrenaica, Libya, Africa

Closely related and often confused with M.libycus.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

A desert rodent, Shaw’s jird inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, preferring well-vegetated desert valleys. It may also be found in cultivated fields. Within these habitats, Shaw’s jird occupies burrows, which are typically found near the base of trees or bushes.

Jirds are extremely social animals and often live in colonies, in deep and complex burrows which are clustered together. Mainly active at night, Shaw’s jird forages mainly for fruits, seeds and green parts of plants, such as Salsola vermiculata and Euphorbia calyptrata, a large amount of which is then hoarded underground in the burrow.

Shaw’s jird is able to breed at all times of year, but favours times when the temperature is moderate and supplies of food and moisture are sufficient. In northern Tunisia, most reproductive activity takes place in summer, while in Morocco, winter appears to be favoured. Remarkably, Shaw’s jird is able to mate a staggering 224 times in only two hours. With a gestation period of 20 to 30 days, Shaw’s jird gives to birth to litters of around five or six young, with a female producing three or four litters each year. The young are weaned at about 21 days of age and may live for up to five or six years.

Observations: Little is known about the longevity of these animals, but one specimen lived 4.7 years in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005).

Native, resident.

Endangered.

Rare.

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions