The Mickey Mouse of the Desert

Long-eared Jerboa (Euchoreutes naso)

Very little is known about this little creature. Named the Mickey Mouse of the desert, the Long-eared Jerboa, is a nocturnal mouse-like rodent with a long tail, long hind legs for jumping, and exceptionally large ears. Like other jerboas, they spend the daylight hours underground in burrows, which they dig themselves. It has been reported in China and in ten localities in desert habitats of Trans Altai Govi Desert and the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. The species is thought to be declining as a result of human disturbance of its habitat.