Fat-Tailed Pygmy Jerboa
Salpingotus crassicauda is found in northwest China, Southwest Mongolia, and the Soviet Union. They can be found in steppes and deserts. They dig burrows in sand dunes. Their burrows can extend up to three meters in length.
Thick-tailed pygmy jerboa
Head and body range in length from 41 to 47 mm. The tail is more than double the length of the body, ranging in length from 93 to 126 mm. The tail is swollen at the proximal end, due to fat storage, and it is covered with short hairs that become longer toward the terminal end. The metatarsals are extended and range from 20 to 25 mm. There are only three toes present in each hind foot of S. crassicauda. It has tufts of hair beneath each toe, which aid in gripping when running on soft sand. S. crassicauda has external ears that are small and round
Reproduction
Salpingotus crassicauda females have eight teats and have an average litter of 2.7 young. Sexual maturity is not reached in the first year. The reproductive behavior is unknown. Other northern species of jerboas, however, breed shortly after emerging from hibernation. These jerboas are thought to have two litters per season consisting of two to six young.
Behavior
No specific information was available for S. crassicauda, the following is from a general account of jerboas. Jerboas are generally quiet, although some species tap with their hind foot. They move about walking on their hind legs. Their forelimbs are used for gathering food. Jerboas also move using all four limbs when hopping or jumping to escape predators. Some jerboas hibernate through the winter and some enter torpor during hot or dry periods. This may explain the large store of fat in the tail of S. crassicauda.
Food Habits
Salpingotus crassicauda feeds on insects and vegetable matter. However, in captivity one Salpingotus ate only invertebrates. S. crassicauda may also eat seeds, like many other jerboas. In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks, and rat or mouse mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate, fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild insects as they may carry parasites.
Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without extra waste.
