{{Short description|Species of rodent}} {{speciesbox | image = Meriones crassus.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | genus = Meriones | species = crassus | authority = Sundevall, 1842 | synonyms = ''M. longifrons'' |status_ref=<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Granjon, L. |date=2016 |title=''Meriones crassus'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T13161A22433449 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T13161A22433449.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref> }} '''Sundevall's jird''' ('''''Meriones crassus''''') is a species of rodent in the family of Muridae. It is found in Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Pakistan, Morocco, Niger, Palestine, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Western Sahara, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and possibly Mali. Its natural habitat is hot deserts.<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" /> == Description == left|thumb|Sundevall's jird looking from one of the entrances of its burrowSundevall's jird is a medium-sized gerbilline rodent with an average mass of about 100 g (3.53&nbsp;oz).<ref name=":0">Khokhlova, Irina S., et al. "[http://jeb.biologists.org/content/jexbio/212/10/1429.full.pdf Is the Feeding and Reproductive Performance of the Flea, Xenopsylla ramesis, Affected by the Gender of Its rodent Host, Meriones crassus?]" ''Journal of Experimental Biology'' 212 (2009): 1429-35. Print.</ref> They can range in size depending on sex. The average length (not including the tail) is about 15&nbsp;cm (5.91&nbsp;in).<ref name=":1">Koffler, Barry R. "Meriones crassus." ''Mammalian Species'' 9 (1972): 1-4. Print.</ref> Their tails can be as long as their bodies. Sundevall's jird has a soft, fine, light brown fur, with a lighter underbelly.<ref name=":1" />

== Distribution and habitat == The Sundevall's jird is found in dry habitats like deserts across northern Africa. It can be found in rocky areas, but prefers sand-like soil.<ref name=":1" /> They create burrows in the sand where they create nests.<ref name=":2">Degen, A. Allan, Irina S. Khokhlova, and Michael Kam. "Milk Production of the Dam Limits the Growth Rate of Sundevall's Jird (Meriones crassus) pups." ''Mammaliam Biology'' 76.3 (2011): 285-89. Print.</ref>

== Reproduction == Like any mammal, the Sundevall's jird cares for its offspring by producing milk. Being a relatively small mammal, the Sundevall's jird must intake a higher amount of calories to make enough milk. Gestation can last between 18 and 22 days, and they give birth to between 2 and 7 pups.<ref name=":2" /> Young are born without fur, are blind, and have very long whiskers.<ref name=":1" /> The breeding season for Sundevall's jird is from January to September, with peak times from February to May.<ref name=":2" />

== Parasites == The Sundevall's jird can be occupied by a variety of parasites, especially species of fleas. It has been found that male Sundevall's jird harbor more species of parasites than females do, which is still being studied.<ref name=":0" /> Along with parasites come the parasites of parasites, in this case, bacteria. Bacteria can be transmitted to the Sundevall's jird by the flea biting the rodent.<ref>Morick, Danny, et al. "Transmission Dynamics of Bartonella sp. Strain OE 1-1 in Sundevall's Jirds (Meriones crassus)." ''Applied and Environmental Microbiology'' 79.4 (2013): 1258-64. Print.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

== Bibliography == *{{MSW3 Muroidea | id = | page = }} *Palgi, N., Y. Naaman, and A. Haim. "Body Temperature Daily Rhythms of the Fat Jird Meriones crassus: Effects of Beta and Alpha Adrenergic Blockers." ''Journal of Thermal Biology'' 31.1-2 (2006): 177-80. Print. *Koffler, Barry R. "Meriones crassus." ''Mammalian Species'' 9 (1972): 1-4. Print. *Degen, A. Allan, Irina S. Khokhlova, and Michael Kam. "Milk Production of the Dam Limits the Growth Rate of Sundevall's Jird (Meriones crassus) pups." ''Mammaliam Biology'' 76.3 (2011): 285-89. Print. *Khokhlova, Irina S., et al. "Is the Feeding and Reproductive Performance of the Flea, Xenopsylla ramesis, Affected by the Gender of Its odent Host, Meriones crassus?" ''Journal of Experimental Biology'' 212 (2009): 1429-35. Print. *Morick, Danny, et al. "Transmission Dynamics of Bartonella sp. Strain OE 1-1 in Sundevall's Jirds (Meriones crassus)." ''Applied and Environmental Microbiology'' 79.4 (2013): 1258-64. Print.

{{Commons category|Meriones crassus}} {{Gerbillinae|G1.}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1769338}}

Category:Meriones (rodent) Jird, Sundevall's Category:Mammals of Afghanistan Category:Mammals described in 1842 Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot