Bushveld gerbil

Introduction: The bushveld gerbil (Tatera leucogaster) is known to inhabit mostly light sandy soils although they can be found on hard ground. It will only dig burrows in sandy soil at the base of small shrubs but will burrow in the open, taking vegetable debris to mat the floor of their resting chambers. They are nocturnal creatures and terrestrial in habitat.

Distribution: Southern and northern Namibia in open grasslands, Acacia woodland or scrub and mopane woodland.

Diet: Insects, grasses, seeds and herbs, enabling to be completely independent of water.

Colouring: Ranges from orange-buff to reddish-brown, depending on habitat.

Breeding: Average litter sizes are between 4 and 5.

Size: Total length ranges from 260-280mm. The tail is longer than the head and the body.

Weight: 70g.