Jerboas are tiny, long-legged desert rodents that move by kangaroo-like bipedal hops and are rarely available in the pet trade. They need very large floor space, deep sand for burrowing, and a strict desert regimen, making them an advanced specialist's animal rather than a beginner pocket pet.
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Tiny: body 9-12 cm plus a long 13-20 cm tufted tail; 50-75 g
Lifespan
2–6 years
Social needs
pair
Native region
North Africa and the Middle East
Origin
Old World
Climate
🏜️ Arid
Family
Dipodidae
Genus
Jaculus
Part of the Jerboas
Bipedal, kangaroo-like desert rodents built for hopping across sand — specialist exotics that demand deep dry substrate, lots of floor space, and a strict arid-climate regimen.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Large arid enclosure
150 × 80 × 80 cm with deep sand
Jerboas are long-jumping desert rodents — they need a LARGE enclosure with a deep sandy substrate, hot/cool gradient, and clear jumping zones. A standard rodent cage is unsuitable.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Walk-in arid vivarium
200 × 100 × 100 cm arid setup
Walk-in arid vivarium with deep sand for digging, rock hides, a basking gradient, and plenty of open floor for natural bipedal hopping. Solitary or carefully matched pair.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Outdoor-style arid room
Dedicated arid room or 3 m+ enclosure
A dedicated arid room or oversized enclosure replicating desert terrain with multi-depth sand burrows, varied substrate, and full hot/cool gradient. Specialist-keeper only.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
Photo coming soon
Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Habitat & enclosure
Jerboas are athletic jumpers that can leap a meter or more, so they need a long, wide enclosure — a large terrarium or custom build with a big floor footprint and a tall, secure lid — far more than a typical mouse cage. Provide a very deep sand/sand-soil layer (15 cm or more) for burrowing, since they dig extensive tunnels and plug them by day. Keep them dry and warm; humidity and damp bedding cause skin and respiratory problems.
Substrate
Deep, dry desert sand or a sand/topsoil mix that holds burrows, kept bone-dry. Add a sand bath for grooming. Avoid moist substrates, cedar, and pine. Spot-clean and replace damp areas immediately.
Equipment & setup
Large-footprint enclosure with a tall secure lid, deep diggable substrate, hides and tunnels, a heat source to maintain warm desert temperatures, a dry sand bath, low-humidity setup (no misting), and a water dish or bottle plus moisture-rich foods. A solid running wheel suits their energy.
Diet
In the wild they eat seeds, succulent plant matter, and insects and obtain most water from food. In captivity feed a varied dry seed/grain mix (millet, oats, grass seeds) plus fresh greens and small amounts of vegetables for moisture, and offer insects (mealworms, crickets) for protein. They drink little; provide a water source but expect them to rely on moist foods. Avoid sugary fruit.
Behavior & temperament
Strictly nocturnal and bipedal, jerboas hop and bound with explosive speed and are difficult to handle — they are flighty, can jump out of open hands, and stress easily. They are best kept as a compatible same-sex pair or small group with ample space, and observed rather than cuddled. They burrow and plug tunnels during the day to escape desert heat.
Health
Sensitive to humidity, cold, and damp; respiratory infection and wet-tail-like issues arise in poor conditions. Their fragile long hind legs and tail can be injured by rough handling, and the tail skin can slough if grabbed. Lifespan in good captive care can reach several years. Exotics-vet access is limited, so prevention via correct desert husbandry is key.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Give floor space over height-for-climbing — they need room to bound. Keep everything dry and warm like a desert. Handle minimally and never grab the tail. Source only captive-bred animals from reputable breeders, as wild-caught and imported jerboas are stressed and may be restricted. Confirm local import/keeping rules before acquiring.
