Fat Sand Rat Psammomys obesus

The Fat Sand Rat is a gerbil native to deserts of Northern Africa and Arabia. It is some 8-13 cm head/body length. The common name "fat" and the Latin name "obessus" relate to it becoming overlarge (and diabetic) when fed on a normal rodent diet since its own specific diet in the wild is poor quality vegetation (mainly saltbushes) and its kidneys are over-efficient.