A large jerboa, more than twice the weight of the Lesser Egyptian Jerboa. Upper parts orangish brown, fading to gray on the sides, and orange to buff along the flanks. Coat long, soft, and dense. Hind limb brownish orange on the outside with hip band grayish meeting at base of tail. Underparts and forelimbs white. Inner hind limbs white. Hind feet enormous, white above, with three toes, the central being the longest. Claws brownish. Forefeet have four toes, the first of which is poorly developed. Head propor­tionately large, mostly huffish with poorly de­fined pale spots above the eye and behind the ears. Ears large, longer than in Lesser Egyptian Jerboa and broader than in the Four-toed Gerbil. Fully pigmented. Whiskers strikingly long, reaching over 8cm. Tail long, colored as upper parts above, whitish below, with bushy terminal tuft that is tricolored-cream, black, white.

Jaculus orientalis (greater Egyptian jerboa) can be found across North Africa in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. The species is especially common in Egypt and extends east through Sinai and into southern parts of Israel; formerly, the species inhabitated areas of Saudi Arabia.

Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )

42 records. Latest in 2002 (El-Dab’aa).

Narrow (Mediterranean coast, Sinai). AOO=126 km². EOO=86360 km². 6 locations. Habitat rapidly being destroyed on the Mediterranean coast.

Narrow (Morocco to Palestine/Israel).

Jaculus orientalis is covered in white fur ventrally and pale, yellowish-dark, sandy fur dorsally. Inner and outer ear areas are covered with thin hair. Eyelashes and sensory hairs are black, while the whiskers are a grey-white. The long tail is also covered with thin, short hair and ends in a tuft of black and white hair; the tail length averages 12.8 to 25 cm (5-9.8 inches). When standing, J. orientalis rests its tail in a curved position, providing support and balance. Males are slightly larger than females; average body mass is 139.1 g.

The body is very compact with a large head and limbs adapted for saltatorial locomotion. The hindlimbs are roughly four times as long as the forelimbs and are used for leverage when the animal jumps great distances. The metatarsal bones of the hind feet are fused together into a 'cannon bone,' and the first and fifth digits are missing, leaving three long, flattened toes. Hair on the sides and bottom of toes increase the surface area of the foot and aid in locomotion on sand.

Average basal metabolic rate is 3.649 kcal/kg/h and body temperature is 37.0 degrees Celcius.

Average mass: 139.1 g.

Range length: 9.5 to 16 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger

Average mass: 134 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.775 W.

Length 137-160 mm, tail 195-243 mm, weight 134 gm.

Type specimen from Sinai (“mountains separating Egypt from Arabia”).

• Terrestrial

Jaculus orientalis lives in humid coastal and salt semi-deserts and in subtropical shrubland, including rocky valleys and meadows. They are also found in barley fields of the semi-nomadic Bedouin tribes.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland ; scrub forest

Other Habitat Features: agricultural

The greater Egyptian jerboa has a tolerance of a wide range of habitats, and has been found to occupy desert, coastal sand dunes, inland bogs and marshes, meadows, and cultivated land. This species is able to survive in areas characterised by scarce water supplies and extreme temperatures, ranging from 45 degrees Celsius in summer to below freezing in winter.

Jaculus orientalis feeds primarily on succulent roots, sprouts, seeds, grains, a few cultivated vegetables, and occasional insects. They use their front paws to sift through sand and loose soil looking for seeds, to handle food, and to climb plants. Jaculus orientalis derives water from green vegetation and can live without drinking free-standing water for long periods of time. When related desert jerboa species do drink from a body of water, they dip their front paws in the water and then lick them, instead of drinking directly from the source.

Animal Foods: insects

Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts

Primary Diet: herbivore (Granivore )

The herbaceous food habits and subsequent foraging behavior of J. orientalis influences its ecological community. When the animal sifts through the soil searching for seeds and other plant matter, it disperses seeds, particularly those too hard to eat, and aerates the soil. This can promote new plant growth and enhance water movement in the soil. Likewise, J. orientalis serves as a food source for carnivorous and omnivorous species in the ecosystem.

The burrow of J. orientalis may be used as a home by conspecifics when the homeowner dies, or by other rodent species. It is possible that even insects such as scorpions and spiders will make use of abandoned burrows. In addition, tiny ticks, mites, and lice live in the fur of jerboas.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; soil aeration

Jaculus orientalis is highly nocturnal and stays in the safety of its burrow during the day. However, if the animal feels threatened while inside, it can escape through an emergency exit tunnel. When alarmed at night, J. orientalis takes off towards its burrow or another safe, sheltered area. Its normal bipedal walking/running gait turns into great leaps as it flees a predator. These leaps have been measured at 1.5 to 3 m long and 1 m high. This is the animal's only mechanism of defense, and generally it cannot get away from a predator once captured. Common predators of J. orientalis include snakes, Rüppel's foxes, fennecs, owls, and humans.

Known Predators:

• snakes (Serpentes)
• Rüppel's foxes (Vulpes rueppellii)
• fennecs (Vulpes zerda)
• owls (Strigiformes)
• humans (Homo sapiens)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

Jaculus orientalis is a social species, so different forms of communication are likely. However, only observations based on captive animals are available. Captive jerboas make sounds to display their anger or annoyance with other jerboas. They have also been observed rhythmically tapping and scratching the floor of their cages. The action gives the impression of communication; however, the animal might only be imitating digging movements used to create burrows in the wild. Communication with scent marking or pheromones is highly likely.

The related desert jerboa, J. jaculus, seems to recognize one another by smell when in captivity. Individuals close their eyes, come together until their noses touch, and remain in contact this way for 1 to 5 seconds.

Jerboas have keen hearing and eyesight, being well-adapted to their nocturnal habits. They also perceive chemical cues and vibrations.

Communication Channels: tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: pheromones ; vibrations

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic ; vibrations

A sociable animal, often found in small groups, the greater Egyptian jerboa is herbivorous, foraging for food throughout the night. Its diet consists of roots, shoots, leaves, and seeds of a variety of both wild and cultivated plants. It avoids the exhausting heat of the summer by spending the daytime in cool underground burrows, and survives the cold and resource-scarce winter months by hibernating.

Jerboas construct at least four different types of burrow of varying depths. These range from ten centimeter deep burrows, used to shelter from predators during the night, to burrows that measure over 220 centimeters deep for hibernation during winter.

Mating occurs shortly after emergence from hibernation. Compared to other rodents, jerboas have a long gestation period (six weeks) and weaning period, and do not become bipedal until around seven weeks after birth. Until this stage, the young jerboa moves slowly, using only the short forelegs to drag the trunk and hind-legs forward.

The lifespan of J. orientalis in the wild is unknown; however, the offspring of a pregnant female captured for a study lived for over six years in captivity.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 6 (high) years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 5.5 years.

There is limited information regarding the reproduction of J. orientalis primarily because of its nocturnal and burrowing behavior. Other members of the genus Jaculus display a particular courting behavior that involves the male standing upright in front of a female. He then lowers himself to the height of the prospective mate and slaps her regularly with his front limbs. It is believed that most desert jerboa species have a polygynous mating system.

Mating System: polygynous

Although captive breeding has been unsuccessful, it is known that J. orientalis breeds once a year. The breeding season is typically 5-6 months, starting in February and culminating in July. Females average 3 offspring per litter, but may have anywhere from 2-8 young each season. The gestation period is roughly 40 days long.

When a young J. orientalis is born, its forelimbs and hindlimbs are the same length, the tail is short, fur is absent, and the eyes and ears are closed. For the first 4 weeks, pups move by crawling with their forelimbs, dragging their body and hindlimbs along. After 4 weeks, quadruped locomotion emerges, and after about 47 days old they are capable of bipedal locomotion. In other members of Jaculus, particularly J. jaculus, offspring are born naked with short vibrissae, and relatively short hindlimbs and tail. They crawl with their forelimbs in the same fashion as J. orientalis. Jaculus jaculus young open their eyes after 5 weeks and eat solid food at 6 weeks. They are independent at 8-10 weeks and sexually mature at 8 to 12 months.

Breeding interval: Greater Egyptian jerboas breed once a year.

Breeding season: Greater Egyptian jerboas breed from February to July.

Range number of offspring: 2 to 8.

Average number of offspring: 3.

Average gestation period: 40 days.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous

Average gestation period: 35 days.

Average number of offspring: 2.5.

After birth, the mother stays with the young in her burrow during the breeding and suckling season until the altricial offspring are self-sufficient. She provides the young with food and resources as well as the protection and shelter of the burrow. In addition, it is assumed that the mother teaches locomotion and survival skills until independence is reached, about the time of weaning. It is unknown if the male has a role in parental investment.

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

In 1996, J. orientalis was designated as 'Lower Risk/Near Threatened' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 2004, the species was re-assessed and its status improved to 'Least Concern,' where it now currently resides. This means the species is widespread and abundant.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Native, resident.

Vulnerable.

Uncommon.

Jaculus orientalis has been known to eat barley and ripe from Bedioun agricultural fields, damaging the crop harvest. This negative impact often leads the Bedouin to intensify their hunting of the species.

Negative Impacts: crop pest

Jaculus orientalis is hunted by Bedouin peoples for its meat, and sometimes its fur, used as trim. The Bedouin have three strategies for capturing jerboas. They pour water into burrows, forcing the animals to run out, they dig up burrows, or they set traps by burrow openings. In addition, J. orientalis is occasionally found on the pet trade due to its tame disposition and manageable size.

Positive Impacts: pet trade ; food ; body parts are source of valuable material