gerbil

• ⇰ One of several species of small, jumping, murine burrowing rodents, of the genus <gen>Gerbillus</gen> and related genera of the subfamily <fam>Gerbillinae</fam>. They have long soft pale fur and hind legs adapted for leaping. In their leaping powers they
• ⇰ A rodent (<spn>Meriones unguiculatus</spn>) of the subfamily <fam>Gerbillinae</fam> that is commonly kept as a pet; it is also called the tamarisk gerbil>, sand rat> and jird>. Its natural habitats are the dry regions of Northern Africa and Asia.