|
Thick-tailed pygmy jerboa
Head and body range in length from 41 to 47 mm. The tail is more
than double the length of the body, ranging in length from 93 to 126
mm. The tail is swollen at the proximal end, due to fat storage, and
it is covered with short hairs that become longer toward the
terminal end. The metatarsals are extended and range from 20 to 25
mm. There are only three toes present in each hind foot of S.
crassicauda. It has tufts of hair beneath each toe, which aid in
gripping when running on soft sand. S. crassicauda has external ears
that are small and round.
Reproduction
Salpingotus crassicauda females have eight teats and have an average
litter of 2.7 young. Sexual maturity is not reached in the first
year. The reproductive behavior is unknown. Other northern species
of jerboas, however, breed shortly after emerging from hibernation.
These jerboas are thought to have two litters per season consisting
of two to six young.
Behavior
No specific information was available for S. crassicauda, the
following is from a general account of jerboas. Jerboas are
generally quiet, although some species tap with their hind foot.
They move about walking on their hind legs. Their forelimbs are used
for gathering food. Jerboas also move using all four limbs when
hopping or jumping to escape predators. Some jerboas hibernate
through the winter and some enter torpor during hot or dry periods.
This may explain the large store of fat in the tail of S.
crassicauda.
Food Habits
Salpingotus crassicauda feeds on insects and vegetable matter.
However, in captivity one Salpingotus ate only invertebrates. S.
crassicauda may also eat seeds, like many other jerboas.
In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks, and rat or mouse
mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat
bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate,
fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy
crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild
insects as they may carry parasites. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium
during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those
times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used
to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes
work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire
mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without
extra waste.
|
