Mongolian gerbil (sand rat)

Japanese: スナネズミ(砂鼠) - スナネズミ（英語表記）Mongolian gerbil

A rodent mammal of the Muridae family and the Gerbil subfamily, resembling a kangaroo rat in appearance. It is found in the arid regions of Mongolia and northern China. It is 11-13cm long and 9-10cm long. It has large eyes, short ears, relatively long hind legs, and long, black claws. Its body is sandy-coloured, with a greyish-white underside. Its tail is not exposed and is densely covered with hair. It lives in deserts, grasslands and shrubs, digging tunnels to make its nest. It is active both day and night, eating and storing seeds, leaves and roots, and hibernating. It has a gestation period of 25-29 days, giving birth to 3-4 young, and giving birth several times a year.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

外形がカンガルーネズミに似た齧歯（げつし）目ネズミ科スナネズミ亜科の哺乳類。モンゴルと中国北部の乾燥地に分布。体長11～13cm，尾長9～10cm。目が大きく，耳介が短く，後脚は比較的長く，つめが黒色で長い。体は砂色で，腹面は灰白色。尾は裸出せず，毛で密に覆われる。砂漠，草原，低木林にすみ，トンネルを掘り巣とする。昼夜とも活動し，種子，葉，根などを食べ，貯蔵もし，冬眠する。妊娠期間25～29日，1産3～4子で，年に数回出産する。

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

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