Gerbil

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nan
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Gerbil

Post by nan »

Gerbil / Gerbille
Kgalagadi - February 2011

Image

A gerbil is a small mammal of the order Rodentia. Once known simply as "desert rats", the gerbil subfamily includes about 110 species of African, Indian, and Asian rodents, including sand rats and jirds, all of which are adapted to arid habitats.
Most are primarily diurnal (though some, including the common household pet, do exhibit crepuscular behavior), and almost all are omnivorous.

Mating
Gerbils will mate for several hours, in frequent short bursts followed by short chases, when the female allows the male to catch her. Once he catches her, the female will squeak and make flick motions to get the male off her. Males will not attack females except in rare circumstances, which may also include them having been separated from their original mates, or widowed. A female may attack a male, but usually he is more than a match for her.
Last edited by nan on Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:16 am, edited 2 times in total.


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Mel
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Re: Gerbil

Post by Mel »

Interesting! I assume you saw that one in the Kgalagadi - looking at the red sand?


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nan
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Re: Gerbil

Post by nan »

:o0ps: yes, and will also add the date


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Flutterby
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Re: Gerbil

Post by Flutterby »

Looks like a mouse. ;-)


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