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

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

The team identified a gene called shox2, for example, that is expressed in the jerboa feet, but not in mouse feet.

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

One who knows anything about the structure of animals' bodies need not be told that the jerboa is a rodent.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 841, February 13, 1892 by Various