Long-eared Jerboa

The long-eared jerboa is a small desert rodent with a body length of 70–90 mm and a tail measuring 150–162 mm. Its reddish-yellow to light-russet upperparts contrast with a white belly, while the tail ends in a conspicuous black-and-white tuft. Its exceptionally long ears extend well beyond the head, and its elongated hind feet have bristly hair tufts that help distinguish it from other small rodents. The three central metatarsals are partly fused, and the sexes are externally similar. (Animal Diversity Web)

This jerboa inhabits arid and semi-arid landscapes from southern Mongolia into northwestern China, including sandy valleys, the Takla-Makan Desert, the Aerjin Mountains, and the Qing-Zang Plateau. Collection sites typically have sparse, low-growing shrubs. It is insectivorous and can locate flying insects by sound before catching them with rapid leaps. The animal is principally ground-dwelling and adapted for both burrowing and saltatory locomotion. Its unusually acute hearing assists foraging and may also help it detect nocturnal danger. (Animal Diversity Web)