This Rodent Has the Largest Ears (Relative to Its Body) on Earth–and It’s Adorable!
It’s easy to believe that the long-eared jerboa is something straight out of a creative artist’s mind. This cute little animal has features that remind you of a mouse, kangaroo, pig, rabbit, and a bunch of other animals, all combined into one charming creature.
Believe it or not, there really is a rodent that looks like a mouse with big ears and a long tail! This cool creature lives in the deserts of southern Mongolia and northwest China. Until not too long ago, hardly anyone even knew it was out there!
In 2007, a team from the Zoological Society of London filmed this unique animal in the Gobi Desert, where it naturally lives. This rare creature is active at night and makes its home in underground burrows. Scientists think it only lives for about 2 to 3 years.
However, it is the jerboa’s physical appearance that makes it stand out from the crowd.
It has the biggest ears compared to its body size of any animal alive today. Actually, its ears are about two-thirds the length of its entire body! Experts believe these huge ears help it cool down, which is super important for surviving in the hot desert, according to National Geographic.
The big ears aren’t the only thing that makes it stand out. Its body measures just 2.8 to 3.5 inches long, but its tail is twice that length! And there are even more unusual traits to discover.
Its back legs are similar to a kangaroo’s, allowing it to jump really far and fast. On the other hand, its front legs are much smaller and aren’t used for moving around much. Instead, they help with eating.
Talia Yuki Moore, a graduate student from Harvard who studies how jerboas move, explained to National Geographic that these animals have a really unpredictable way of moving. They often go in a zigzag pattern and can jump several feet up and sideways, even though they are usually only about the size of your fist.
The jerboa uses its amazing movements to hunt for its favorite snacks, which are insects. These skills also help it trick and escape from any animals that might want to catch it.
The British Army even acknowledged and used these natural talents.
National Geographic says that during World War II, the British 7th Army Brigade, known as the Desert Rats, chose the jerboa as their mascot. This little animal was so important that it showed up on the patches that the soldiers wore while they were fighting in North Africa.
There are actually 33 different types of jerboas that can be found in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Asia, and most of them make their homes in desert areas.
One thing is for certain: although the jerboa may be a hodgepodge of a lot of other creatures, it certainly does stand out from the crowd.
