JERBOAS, jer-beaz or jer'bo-az, small rodents of the family Dipodide, found in the sandy plains of Africa, Russia and southern Asia, and represented by a few species in North America. Their most prominent peculiarity is the great length of the hind legs, especially in the metatarsal portion, so that they look like miniature kangaroos. They walk ordinarily on their two hind feet, but when alarmed escape danger by long leaps. They are fawn-colored, as a rule, with long, slender tails, large ears, big eyes and nocturnal habits. They dwell in underground burrows and tunnels, many of which, more or less connected, are likely to be found together. Their food is mainly vegetable, but they also eat insects, eggs, etc.; they hiber nate in cold climates, do not store food and are the prey of foxes, jackals, wildcats, serpents and Arab children. The most familiar species of jerboa is the Egyptian form (Dipus egypticus), found in North Africa in arid places. The
jumping-hare of South Africa (Pedetes ca en sis), and its ally, the jumping-mouse of North America (Zapus hudsontus), are also well known examples of the family. The latter is a reddish white underneath, which abounds all over the temperate parts of the country, and is easily recognized by its bounding gait. It is one of the longest and soundest of winter sleepers, preparing for its dormancy a warm ball-like nest of grass lodged in a bush or among strong weeds. Gerbils (q.v.) of Africa and India are often confused with jer boas, but are a group of true mice. Consult Blanford, W. T., 'Fauna of British India: Mammalia' (London 1888-90) ; Lyon, M. W., 'Comparison of the Osteology of the Jerboas and Jumping Mice) (Washington 1901) • Lydek ker, 'Royal Natural (Vol. III, 1895).