The Mongolian Jird or Gerbil is native to Mongolia, China and part of Russia.
They look like large mice with long, furry tails and dark-painted toenails.
They live in large family-based groups in burrow systems in the sandy soil of steppe, semi-desert
and grassland. All family members will defend their burrow system and all will gather seeds, plants and fruit for
the large communal food store.
In the wild, they are all generally a sandy colour to match their environment.
The domestic Gerbil kept as pets and used in science are the same species as the wild Jird or Gerbil.
The domestic Gerbil has been bred with various fur colours based on black, white, grey and ranges of brown
and including patches of white on another base colour.