Common name: Cheesman’s Gerbil
Scientific name: Gerbillus cheesmani
Family: Muridae

Size:
Body length: 7–11 cm
Tail length: 8–12 cm
Weight: 20–35 g

Identification:
A small desert rodent with a sandy to pale beige coat that provides excellent camouflage in arid environments. It has large dark eyes, relatively large ears, and a long tail often ending with a slight tuft. The underside is lighter, usually whitish. Its hind legs are well developed for hopping and quick movement across sand.

Habitat:
Desert and semi-desert environments including sandy plains, dunes, and gravel areas. It typically lives in burrows that provide protection from heat and predators.

Status in the UAE:
Native and widespread. Common in suitable desert habitats across the country.

Diet:
Omnivorous — feeds mainly on seeds, grasses, roots, and occasionally insects. Able to obtain moisture from food, reducing dependence on free water.

Behavior:
Nocturnal and highly adapted to desert life. Spends the day in burrows and emerges at night to forage. Quick and agile, often moving in short hops. Plays an important role in the desert ecosystem as both prey and seed disperser.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)