Cheesman's Gerbil \ Gerbillus cheesmani **
Cheesman’s Gerbil (Gerbillus cheesmani) is a small nocturnal rodent native to the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and parts of Iran. Adapted to harsh arid environments, it prefers sandy plains and dunes where it excavates burrows to escape the daytime heat and avoid predators. The species is characterized by its pale sandy-brown fur, long tail with a tufted tip, and large eyes and ears that aid in nocturnal activity. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, roots, and insects, making it an important part of the desert food web, both as a seed disperser and as prey for owls, snakes, and small carnivores. Cheesman’s Gerbil is considered common and widespread across its range, with no major conservation threats identified, although habitat disturbance from expanding human activity and off-road vehicles can locally affect populations.
| NOT EVALUATED | DATA DEFICIENT | LEAST CONCERN** | NEAR THREATENED | VULNERABLE | ENDANGERED | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED | EXTINCT IN THE WILD | EXTINCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE | DD | LC | NT | VU | EN | CR | EW | EX |

