nimet breadcrumb-navigoinnissa
Nocturnal species. Lives in underground burrow and individuals tend to be solitary. Feeds on insects and plants. The breeding season of Mackillingin’s gerbil occurs after rainfall from November to March when plants bloom and female gives birth to litter from one to eight naked young at any time of year and reaches sexual maturity at between two and six months.
Mackillingin's gerbil is a small gerbil. Fur on the upperparts varies in color from dark yellowish brown to reddish brown. Flanks paler with narrow border of clear yellowish color running onto fore- and hind limbs. The hairs of the underparts and feet white to base. Ear large, prominent, pigmented. Broad, conspicuous band of dark-tipped hairs running from mystacial area beneath eye to base of ear. Supraorbital and postauricular patches inconspicuous and whitish in color. Patch found on the rump not present. Tail long with darker upper surface than back and blackish hairs to base. Underside of tail varies in color from whitish to buff. Tail brush dark brown to black, obvious, occupies about one-half of the tail length. Palm and sole of the feet without hairs.
Localized (extreme southeast).
Mackillingin’s gerbil lives in true deserts and mountain wadis.
Body length: 80–84 mm. Tail length: 110–133 mm. Weight: 21 gm.
Native, resident.
