Desert dormouse

Japanese: サバクヤマネ（英語表記）desert dormouse

This is a special dormouse adapted to the desert, and is the only species that makes up the rodent family, Dormouseidae. It is found in the desert northwest of Lake Balkhash in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is 7.5-9.5cm long, 5.8-7.7cm long, and weighs about 20g. It has dense fur, gray on the back, and whitish under the belly. Its method of changing fur is unique, with the fur falling off along with the epidermis, and new fur already growing underneath. Little is known about its ecology and habits, and it is said to live in holes that it digs under bushes scattered in wastelands and deserts, but in captivity it only digs holes when it is cold, and usually hides under leaves and small stones.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

砂漠に適応した特殊なヤマネで，本種1種だけで齧歯（げつし）目サバクヤマネ科を形成する。カザフ共和国のバルハシ湖北西部の砂漠に分布。体長7.5～9.5cm，尾長5.8～7.7cm，体重約20g。体毛は密生し，背面は灰色，腹面は白色がかる。毛がわりの方法は独特で，毛は表皮ごと脱落し，表皮の下にはすでに新しい毛が生えている。生態や習性はほとんど知られず，荒れ地や砂漠に散在するやぶの下に穴を掘って生活するといわれるが，飼育下では寒いときだけ穴を掘り，ふだんは葉や小さな石の下を隠れ場とする。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Sabazios (English spelling)

>>: Desert - desert (English spelling)