Fat Sand Rat
Yellowish-brown upperparts; lighter underparts; almond-shaped eyes; hairy tail with a black tail-brush; black nails. Distinguished from other gerbils by its small rounded ears.
Mostly solitary. Active during the cool hours of the day in summer. Basks in the sun in winter.
Feeds on vegetation with high water and salt content. Conserves water by producing highly concentrated urine.
Common in sandy plains with some bushy vegetation, including Azraq, Ma’an, and Aqaba. Lives in elaborate burrows with multiple entrances built under bushes.