The timid bushy-tailed jird is a small, gerbil-like mammal with a slender body, large eyes and, as the common name suggests, a thick and fluffy covering of fine hairs on the tail. The bushy tail is the most striking feature, having grayish or black fur along most of its length, except for the white tip. The body of the bushy-tailed jird is brownish-yellow and speckled with black on the upperparts, paler on the flanks, and white on the underside. With its slender limbs and long hind feet, the bushy-tailed jird is a proficient, agile climber in its rocky habitat.

Sekeetamys calurus prefer arid regions such as South-East Israel, eastern Egypt, Jordan, Sinai, and in the vicinity of Riyadh in central Saudi Arabia.

Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )

35 records. Latest in 1999 (Hamra Dome).

Narrow (Sinai, Eastern Desert). AOO=138.6 km². EOO=108942 km². 7 locations.

Restricted (Egypt, Palestine/Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia).

Sekeetamys calurus can be separated from their gerbil relatives by the color of their coats. The fur is a yellowish, reddish color that is flecked with black hairs. There is a distinct line when the dorsal fur meets the ventral fur. The ventral fur is crisp white. The ears are grey and sometimes have white hairs behind them. The hind feet of bushy-tailed jirds have naked soles that aid in gripping and climbing rocky surfaces. Bushy-tailed jirds are known for their bushy tails, which are brownish grey with white tips. The tails are covered with long hairs that stand out, creating a feather-like effect, thus making the tails bushy. Males have especially full and prominent tails. Young S. calurus appear to have fuller, softer fur.

Sekeetamys calurus have low metabolic rates, 47% of the expected BMR for rodents their size. A low BMR is probably an adaptation to their arid environment.

Range mass: 45 to 90 g.

Average mass: 64 g.

Range length: 9.8 to 12.8 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male more colorful; ornamentation

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.274 W.

Head-body length: 10 - 12.5 cm; Tail length: 6 - 11 cm; Average weight: 77.3 g.

Type specimen from near Tor in Sinai.

• Terrestrial

Arid and rocky environments make the best homes for S. calurus. To avoid heat exhaustion, bushy-tailed jirds burrow in rocky terrain under edges of rocks and boulders. Sekeetamys calurus have adapted to their rocky environments by becoming good climbers. Bushy-tailed jirds are nocturnal and very active at night.

Range elevation: 90 to 1200 m.

Average elevation: 300 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune

The bushy-tailed jird inhabits rocky, hot, arid deserts where it rests during the day in a burrow under large rocks or a den amongst boulders. It is able to tolerate extreme temperatures, such as in Sinai, where mountain-dwelling populations can experience snow during the winter and soaring temperatures during the summer.

Bushy-tailed jirds are omnivores. Depending on the environment, S. calurus diets may vary greatly. In the wild, bushy-tailed jirds prefer seeds, insects, herbs, and small bushes. Sekeetamys calurus cache their food, especially in the presence of potential competitors such as Acomys russatus. In captivity, members of this species will accept seeds, vegetables, fruits, and commercialized rat and gerbil food. It is recommended to keep lettuce and citrus fruits to a minimum. Sekeetamys calurus need to have a high protein diet. In captivity, lime blocks are necessary for nutrition as well as for play. Bushy-tailed jirds also prey on live food, such as mealworms.

Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial worms

Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit

Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food

Primary Diet: omnivore

Sekeetamys calurus are found in arid regions where not many other mammals dwell. However, research has been done on the competition between bushy-tailed jirds, S. calurus, and golden spiny mice. Under the right circumstances, the two species compete for nesting sites and materials, as well as food. Sekeetamys calurus are found to be dominant, perhaps as a result of their protection of their food stores and nesting materials. Predators such as hyraxes and several kinds of foxes rely on this species. Bushy-tailed jirds are omnivores, feeding on insects when they are available. They also gather and cache seeds, perhaps dispersing them.

When kept as laboratory specimens, bushy-tailed jirds are susceptible to several different strains of viruses and bacteria, as well as mites. There is no information confirming that S. calurus are affected by these health factors in the wild.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds

The main predators are desert foxes, but they also fall victim to hyraxes. Remains of S. calurus have been found in some owl pellets. Snakes inhabiting arid regions may also prey upon bushy-tailed jirds, although no evidence was found. When S. calurus feel threatened they thump their feet to scare the predator and warn others. If that tactic does not succeed, they attempt to outrun their predator.

Known Predators:

• rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis)
• Ruppel's foxes (Vulpes rueppelli)
• pale foxes (Vulpes pallida)
• fennecs (Vulpes zerda)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

Bushy-tailed jirds are not highly vocal. When they are vocal, it is usually because they have been injured or feel severely threatened. Most communication is done through foot thumping. Sekeetamys calurus thump their feet loudly when they sense danger or when they become sexually excited. Another form of communication that bushy-tailed jirds use is scent marking. There are small scent glands on the ventral sides of their bodies. Sekeetamys calurus rub their bellies on everything that they consider their property, including territory and family members. Each animal has its own distinct scent that distinguishes its property from that of any other S. calurus.

Communication Channels: acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: scent marks ; vibrations

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

The bushy-tailed jird is well adapted to survive and reproduce in its harsh, desert environment where food and water availability are quite unpredictable. Its diet mainly consists of spiders and insects, such as beetles and crickets, but it will also eat seeds and vegetation. It is able to extract water from plant material, which enables it to survive periods of drought. It also conserves this precious water by producing dry faeces and small amounts of concentrated urine. Water loss is further minimized by being nocturnal, therefore avoiding the heat of the day. When there is an abundance of food after the wet season, the bushy-tailed jird stores most of the food it eats as fat, in preparation for entering hibernation.

Although there are no records of this species’ reproductive biology in the wild, in captivity, female bushy-tailed jirds have been known to give birth throughout the year, to litters containing a maximum of six young. A captive individual lived five years and five months.

There is a significant difference in the lifespan of captive (4.5 years) vs. wild animals (5.8 months), and between males and females. Captive animals have a greater longevity due to their lack of predators and consistent food supply. Males tend to live longer than females.

Range lifespan

Status: wild: 30 (high) months.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 25 months.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 4 to 5 years.

Typical lifespan

Status: wild: 5.6 to 6.0 months.

Typical lifespan

Status: captivity: 1 to 4 years.

Mating pairs tend to stay in close contact throughout the mating season. Sekeetamys calurus are a seasonally monogamous species.

Mating System: monogamous

Scent markings are a crucial form of attracting mates. Male bushy-tailed jirds also use foot thumping to show females that they are interested in mating. Once a male has selected a female to mate with, he chases her. Chasing of the female commences in the early evening, and may last several hours. Mating pairs tend to stay in close contact throughout the mating season. The pair often wrestle, with the loser being pinned down and given a thorough bathing by the winner.

Sexual maturity for Sekeetamys calurus is sixty to eighty days after birth. Mating season for bushy-tailed jirds in the wild is February and March. Captive animals have the ability to mate year round. Breeding of captive animals may be difficult as it is dependent on the animals' diet; they must have a high protein and low fat diet. Gestation lasts for 21 to 24 days. Female S. calurus give birth to liters of three to five young in captivity, and two to three young in the wild. Weaning and the first signs of independence of young occur at four to five weeks.

Breeding interval: Sekeetamys calurus breed once yearly.

Breeding season: Mating season for bushy-tailed jirds in the wild is February and March.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 5.

Range gestation period: 21 to 24 days.

Range weaning age: 4 to 5 weeks.

Range time to independence: 4 to 5 weeks.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 60 to 80 days.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 60 to 80 days.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous

Average number of offspring: 2.9.

Sekeetamys calurus often form mating pairs that help care for the young. Both parents invest time in watching and gathering food for their young. In groups, the parents protect the young from being eaten by conspecifics. It is important to make sure that in captivity, new bushy-tailed jird parents have enough calcium and protein in their diet. If they do not, they will resort to cannibalism and eat their young.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female)

No information was available on the status of S. calurus.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Native, resident.

Least Concern.

Uncommon.

There was no evidence found on the negative economic importance for humans.

Sekeetamys calurus are very important to the pet trade. Bushy-tailed jirds have been introduced in many countries as mild-mannered pets. Sekeetamys calurus are also often used in animal laboratories. They make good lab subjects due to their mild manner and unique ways of thermoregulating.

Positive Impacts: pet trade ; research and education