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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of jerboa

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

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jerboa

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

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

A type of hopping rodent called the jerboa, native to North Africa and Asia, also has a superlong tail. 

From National Geographic

Here amid the kangaroos of Australia are the long-nosed, rock, and jerboa kangaroos, the New Guinea tree-kangaroo, and below, the Australian koala.

From How to See the British Museum in Four Visits by W. Blanchard Jerrold

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---