What is the name of a mouse with a long tail and big ears? - briefly
The animal described is commonly called the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). It is noted for a proportionally long tail and distinctly large ears.
What is the name of a mouse with a long tail and big ears? - in detail
The animal that fits the description of a rodent possessing an unusually long tail and proportionally large ears is the gerbil (family Gerbillinae).
Gerbils belong to the order Rodentia and are most closely related to mice and rats, yet they exhibit distinct morphological features:
- Tail length: Typically equal to or longer than the head‑body length, often reaching 10–15 cm in species such as the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). The tail is sparsely furred and may possess a tuft at the tip.
- Ear size: Ears are markedly enlarged, extending beyond the skull’s lateral margins. In the same species, ear length measures 2.5–3 cm, enhancing thermoregulation and auditory acuity.
- Body proportions: Compact torso, lightweight skeleton, and elongated hind limbs support rapid locomotion and burrowing.
- Habitat: Native to arid and semi‑arid regions of Africa and Asia; they construct extensive underground tunnel systems that protect against predators and extreme temperatures.
- Behavior: Diurnal or crepuscular activity patterns, strong social structures, and complex grooming rituals. They are omnivorous, consuming seeds, insects, and plant material.
- Taxonomic classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae (subfamily Gerbillinae)
- Genus: Meriones, Gerbillus, among others.
Physiological adaptations linked to the elongated tail include balance during swift sprints and a role in heat dissipation. Enlarged ears contain a dense network of blood vessels, facilitating rapid heat exchange, which is vital for survival in desert environments.
In laboratory settings, the Mongolian gerbil is a standard model organism due to its ease of breeding, docile temperament, and physiological similarity to humans in auditory and neurological research.
Overall, the gerbil’s combination of a long, slender tail and conspicuously large ears distinguishes it from typical mouse species and aligns with the described characteristics.