202 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



THE JERBOAS 



THE true Jerboas (Difiodidce) are even more specialised for jumping 

 than the Spring-Haas. They are small animals, about the size of Rats, 

 with very big heads, round plump bodies, and long thin tails, tufted 

 only at the tip. Their fore-feet are exceedingly small, and held up 

 close under the chin as a rule, so as not to be noticeable. The hind 

 limbs have the instep portion, between hock and toes, very long and 

 thin, and as the animals walk on the centre three toes only the first 

 and fifth being very short or absent altogether they have a curiously 

 bird-like look. Although, when going fast, they progress by successive 

 very rapid and extensive bounds, in the ordinary way they toddle 

 about on their spindly legs with alternate steps, which gives them a 

 very quaint appearance. 



They are essentially desert-animals, with soft fur of a sandy 

 colour, matching the soil of their home, and they live by day in 

 burrows, often in communities, coming out at night to feed on seeds, 

 herbage, and, in the case of some of the larger species, on the eggs or 

 young of the desert birds. Their range is from Eastern Europe to 

 Northern Africa and Central Asia, and there are a good many species. 

 One of these, the Egyptian Jerboa (Dipus cegyptius] is frequently im- 

 ported into England, and, being a very clean and gentle little animal, 

 makes an ideal pet. The great point in keeping it is to give it a 

 good run, and plenty of dry sand to scratch and roll in. 



THE GOPHERS 



THE Gophers (Geomyidce) are an American family of rodents, living 

 on the ground and usually burrowing. They are provided with cheek- 

 pouches, lined with hair and opening outside the mouth, and some of 

 them, like the Pocket-Gopher (Geomys bursarius) of the Mississippi 

 plains, are well-known animals. The Pocket-Gopher is like a short- 

 tailed heavily-built Rat, with soft brown fur and enormous teeth and 

 front claws. It is a great burrower, and lays up stores of seeds and 

 roots, especially potatoes when it can get them. 



