What is a mouse with a long snout called? - briefly
A mouse characterized by an elongated snout is called a gerbil. It belongs to the subfamily Gerbillinae of the Muridae family.
What is a mouse with a long snout called? - in detail
A rodent possessing an unusually elongated rostrum is identified as a gerbil. Gerbils belong to the subfamily Gerbillinae within the family Muridae and differ from typical house mice (Mus musculus) in several morphological and ecological traits.
Gerbils exhibit the following distinguishing features:
- Proportionally long snout that extends beyond the plane of the eyes, enhancing tactile exploration of sandy substrates.
- Large, hairless ears that aid in thermoregulation in arid environments.
- Compact, tufted tail used for balance rather than storage of fat.
- Hind‑foot structure adapted for rapid bipedal locomotion and jumping.
Taxonomic classification:
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae
- Subfamily: Gerbillinae
- Common genera: Gerbillus, Meriones, Tatera.
Habitat and behavior:
- Predominantly inhabit deserts, semi‑deserts, and dry grasslands across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Burrowing lifestyle; extensive tunnel systems provide protection from temperature extremes and predators.
- Primarily nocturnal; diet consists of seeds, vegetation, and occasional insects.
Reproductive biology:
- Gestation period ranges from 20 to 30 days, producing litters of 2–6 offspring.
- Rapid maturation allows multiple breeding cycles within a year, supporting population resilience in harsh climates.
Comparison with true mice:
- True mice possess a shorter, less pronounced snout, a more rounded body, and a higher reliance on vegetative cover rather than burrows.
- Gerbils display greater water conservation efficiency, including the ability to obtain moisture from metabolic processes.
In research contexts, several gerbil species serve as laboratory models for studies of auditory processing, epilepsy, and infectious disease, owing to their physiological similarities to humans and their ease of housing.
Overall, the rodent characterized by a pronounced snout and desert‑adapted morphology is correctly referred to as a gerbil.