jerboa

American  

[jer-boh-uh, jer-] / dʒərˈboʊ ə, dʒɛr- /

noun

1. any of various mouselike rodents of North Africa and Asia, as of the genera Jaculus and Dipus, with long hind legs used for jumping.

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jerboa British  

/ dʒɜːˈbəʊə /

noun

1. any small nocturnal burrowing rodent of the family Dipodidae, inhabiting dry regions of Asia and N Africa, having pale sandy fur, large ears, and long hind legs specialized for jumping

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Etymology

Origin of jerboa

1655–65; < New Latin < Arabic yarbūʿ; see gerbil

Example Sentences

The total picture painted by the jerboa network analysis is one that highlights how complex the developmental process is.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 23, 2021

Other genes with different expression in the jerboa were ones that are ordinarily associated with turning off bone growth in mice.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 23, 2021

Thankfully, there are enough silly baby animals in Life Story to refocus your attention, such as the jerboa, which jumps at every noise its huge ears detect.

From The Guardian • Oct. 18, 2014

The long-eared jerboa is an endangered species that's native to Mongolia and northern China.

From National Geographic

His stare, with his sharp nose, tiny chin, and trembling whiskers, gave him the look of a jerboa, one of those desert rats that Daoud had hunted with hawks in Palestine.

From The Saracen: Land of the Infidel by Shea, Robert