Mongolian gerbil
| Mongolian gerbil | |
|---|---|
| Wild gerbil in Mongolia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Meriones |
| Species: | M. unguiculatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Meriones unguiculatus (Milne-Edwards, 1867)[2]
| |
The Mongolian gerbil, also referred to as the Mongolian jird (Meriones unguiculatus), is a rodent belonging to the subfamily Gerbillinae.[3] Their body size is typically 110–135 mm (4+1⁄4–5+1⁄4 in), with a 95–120 mm (3+3⁄4–4+3⁄4 in) tail, and body weight 60–130 g (2–4+1⁄2 oz), with adult males larger than females.[4] The animal is used in science and research or kept as a small house pet. Their use in science dates back to the latter half of the 19th century, but they only started to be kept as pets in the English-speaking world after 1954, when they were brought to the United States. However, their use in scientific research has fallen out of favor.
- ^ Batsaikhan, N.; Tsytsulina, K (2016). "Meriones unguiculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T13171A22432999.en.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Milne-Edwardswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Musser, G. G.; Carleton, M. D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1239. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Waiblinger, Eva (2010). "The Laboratory Gerbil". The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals. pp. 327–347. doi:10.1002/9781444318777.ch23. ISBN 978-1-4443-1877-7.