Where do sand rats live? - briefly
Sand rats are native to arid and semi‑arid zones of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia, favoring deserts, dunes, and dry scrubland. They typically occupy burrows in sandy soils where vegetation is sparse.
Where do sand rats live? - in detail
Sand rats, members of the genus Psammomys and related murid rodents, occupy arid and semi‑arid ecosystems across a broad belt from North Africa through the Middle East to Central Asia. Their range encompasses the Sahara fringe (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt), the Levant (Israel, Jordan, Syria), the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Yemen), and the steppes of Iran, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and western China.
Typical environments include:
- Sandy deserts with sparse vegetation, where rodents construct deep burrows beneath dunes.
- Stony desert plains and gravelly slopes that provide shelter among rocks.
- Shrub‑dominated steppe zones where grasses and low shrubs offer food and cover.
- Agricultural margins adjacent to desert areas, especially fields of cultivated cereals and legumes that attract foraging individuals.
Burrow systems are situated in loose, well‑drained soils, often a few meters below the surface, and feature multiple chambers for nesting, food storage, and thermoregulation. Nighttime activity reduces exposure to extreme daytime temperatures and predators. Seasonal movements may shift populations toward higher‑moisture microhabitats during prolonged droughts.
Overall, sand rats thrive in habitats characterized by low precipitation, high temperature variability, and substrates that permit extensive underground tunneling. Their distribution reflects adaptation to both pure desert landscapes and transitional zones where desert meets cultivated land.