By Divya Jain
Geographic Range
Gerbillus cheesmani, one of the northern pygmy gerbils, ranges from the Arabian Peninsula east to southwestern Iran. (Badr and Asker, 1980; Nowak, 1997)
Biogeographic Regions:
palearctic 
(native ).
Habitat
G. cheesmani is found in rocky and sandy dry areas, often under coarse or sparse vegetation. (Nowak, 1997; Scott and Dunstone, 2000)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
desert or dune .
Physical Description
(0.35 to 2.22 oz)
(4.69 to 12.2 in)
G. cheesmani, a medium sized gerbil, is sand-colored, allowing it to blend into its surroundings. Usually the middle line of the dorsum is a bit darker than sides. The paler sides blend in to the belly of the gerbil, which ranges from cream to white. The tail is furry and the underside of the tail usually is similar in color to the underside of the body. The end of the tail has a small tuft and is usually white. The pelage of Cheesman's gerbil is soft and dense.
This species is lean and has long ears and claws. The tail is longer than its head and body. The tail alone can range from 69-180 mm in length compared to the head and body range of 50-130 mm. Its hind feet are long and can be over 25 percent of the head and body length. The soles of the feet are hairy. Unlike some gerbils, the teeth of G. cheesmani are not hypsodont. (Badr & Asker 1980; Nowak 1997)
The skull of G. cheesmani ranges in length from 26.1-33 mm. It has large tympanic bullae. The mastoid parts of the skull extend past the supraoccipital. The rostrum is narrow and the braincase is inflated. (Harrison 1972) (Badr and Asker, 1980; Harrison, 1972; Nowak, 1997)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
This species breeds in all seasons.
The females are polyestrous, meaning that they ovulate more than once a year. Litters average 4 or 5 pups, can range up to 8. The gestation period is 20-22 days, and pups nurse for about a month. (Nowak, 1997)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (internal ); viviparous .
The young are born naked and are dependent on their mothers for at least a month. (Nowak, 1997)
Parental investment:
altricial ; female parental care .
Lifespan/Longevity
We don't have any information on longevity in this species.
Behavior
Cheeseman's gerbils dig tunnels that vary from simple holes to intricate, maze-like burrows. The burrows may be short or long and may also serve as storage sites for food. The entrances are blocked off by sand. Members of the species usually dig their burrows close to each other, thus forming colonies. (Nowak, 1997)
Food Habits
These gerbils are primarily herbivorous, but also eat insects. Foods eaten include: seeds, nuts, grasses, roots and insects. They store food in their burrows. (Nowak, 1997)
Animal Foods:
insects.
Plant Foods:
leaves; roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts.
Foraging Behaviors:
stores or caches food .
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Migratory Bird Act: [link]:
No special status.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
This species is not believed to need special conservation efforts. It is rated "Lower Risk" by the Red List.
For More Information
Find Gerbillus cheesmani information at
Contributors
Divya Jain (author), University of Michigan.
Bret Weinstein (editor), University of Michigan.
