What kind of mouse has a long nose in the photo? - briefly
The animal shown is a gerbil, a small rodent distinguished by its elongated snout. Its appearance differs from typical house mice, which have shorter noses.
What kind of mouse has a long nose in the photo? - in detail
The animal shown possesses a markedly elongated rostrum, a slender body, and a relatively long, hair‑less tail. These characteristics correspond to members of the gerbil group (subfamily Gerbillinae, family Muridae). Gerbils are small rodents typically measuring 10–15 cm in head‑body length, with a tail that often exceeds the body length. Their snout is pointed and proportionally longer than that of most house mice, an adaptation for rooting in arid soils.
Key identification points:
- Head shape: triangular profile, sharply tapering nose.
- Ears: medium‑sized, rounded, often without prominent hair.
- Fur: fine, usually sandy or gray‑brown, matching desert or steppe habitats.
- Tail: slender, sometimes tufted, with a bare dorsal surface.
- Feet: elongated hind feet equipped with well‑developed pads for rapid locomotion on loose substrate.
Taxonomically, the most common species fitting this description are:
- Meriones unguiculatus – the Mongolian gerbil, widely kept as a pet and found in Central Asian steppes.
- Gerbillus gerbillus – the lesser Egyptian gerbil, native to North African deserts.
- Tatera brantsii – the Indian gerbil, inhabiting the Indian subcontinent’s dry regions.
Behaviorally, gerbils are diurnal or crepuscular, constructing shallow burrows and feeding on seeds, grains, and insects. Their elongated snout houses enhanced olfactory receptors, facilitating detection of food beneath the surface.
If the specimen’s tail displays a distinct tuft or the dorsal fur shows a reddish hue, the identification may shift toward the spiny mouse (Acomys spp.), which also exhibits a pronounced snout but differs in fur texture (spiny, coarse) and tail length (shorter relative to body).
In summary, the most plausible classification for a rodent with a long nose in the image is a gerbil species, distinguished by its pointed rostrum, slender tail, and desert‑adapted morphology. Additional visual cues—tail tuft, fur coloration, ear size—can refine the identification to a specific species within the gerbil lineage.