Bizarre rodent with ears bigger than its head is caught on camera for first time

 

Last updated at 10:06am on 10th December 2007 Comments

A bizarre-looking rodent described as "the Mickey Mouse of the desert" has been turned into an unwitting movie star to try to ensure its survival.

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) today released the first known footage of the long-ear jerboa, which looks like a mouse-sized kangaroo with enormous ears.

 

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• VIDEO: Watch the unusual jumping Jerboa creature here

The little jumping Mongolian rodent was filmed hopping about in its natural habitat in the Gobi desert by the scientists from the ZSL's Edge programme, which focuses its efforts on animals which are "evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered".

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Bizarre: The long-eared jerboa

 

The jerboa, found in the deserts of Mongolia and China, is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

It is threatened by disturbance of its habitat - with the domestic cat emerging as a newly-introduced predator into the rodent's range.

It is one of 10 species which has been selected for the focus of the first year of the scheme because it was receiving little conservation attention.

All the Edge species are highly distinct genetically, with few close relatives, but are extremely endangered and need immediate action to save them from becoming extinct.

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Huge ears: The rodent is dubbed 'the Mickey Mouse of the desert'

 

Dr Jonathan Baillie, ZSL head of field conservation and leader of the expedition to Mongolia, said: "The footage and images from this expedition really are extraordinary and incredibly charming.

"The long-eared jerboa is a bit like the Mickey Mouse of the desert, cute and comic in equal measure.

"When people see ZSL's footage of this tiny, threatened creature I am convinced they will want to get involved in its conservation.

"Unfortunately, this is just one of many amazing and unusual animals that are highly threatened but receiving little or no conservation attention."

The long-eared jerboa (Euchoreutes naso) is a jumping rodent whose legs are specially adapted for jumping like a kangaroo and is easily recognised by ears which are about a third bigger than its head.

It is a primarily nocturnal insect-eating animal which spends its daylight hours in underground tunnels.

Wow! Thats pretty awsome! "The Prince Charles Mouse", the made my day!

 

Though I must say, the mouse and Charles don't have much difference in looks!:P

Wow! Thats pretty awsome! "The Prince Charles Mouse", the made my day!

 

Though I must say, the mouse and Charles don't have much difference in looks!:P

 

And neither does Camilla and a horse.:rolleyes:

Nor Prince Harry and porcupine:P

pretty similar to charles, quite an extraordinary creature (sarcasm :P) here is Charles himself: [ATTACH]24627[/ATTACH]

pretty similar to charles, quite an extraordinary creature (sarcasm :P) here is Charles himself: [ATTACH]24627[/ATTACH]

 

And could you please now make up one of Camilla crossed with a horse??:P

I'm on it!

lol...go for it Emma!!! :)

I'm on it!

 

On Camilla??:confused:

no Mark:dozey:(na jokes are allowed), she onto making that picture.....:)

Sorry it took awhile and so it is so crap, I'm using a different computer and it only has paint! Blarg!

 

Disclaimer: This photo is purely for comical uses and if I see on your blog page claiming it is yours, welcome to the world of daily spamming buddy:veryangry2:!

 

 

Anyhoo:P;

Yes, it is soooo unbearably lame, feel free to kill me now...if you give me a few days, I'll post a far better one!

well it beats mine! :) Ill give you some competition lets say 3-4 days...then we post both of em! :cool: I'll redo a prince Charles, you can do a Camilla if you want.

poor rat, it make looks like a rabbit :cry:

 

 

:laugh2: prince charles rat :laugh2:

 

:laugh3: horse camila :laugh3:

 

lol what about harry porcupine :rolleyes:

^That's a good one!!:P

:bigcry: I had a the good version but lost it!!!!

 

 

Oh wait, I found it :P

Awwww, Prince Charles and Camilla, joined in holy matramony....

I'm going to regroup the fragments of my pride and run away to Oregon...

Here is the new and improved Camilla (the Horse), Charles (the rodent) and Harry (the porcupine)....

 

Now, suggestions for what the other prince should be...um Prince William is it?

AWWWWW...one big happy family!:laugh3::laugh3::laugh3:

I'm going to regroup the fragments of my pride and run away to Oregon...

Oregon?? :thinking: Why Oregon? You can run, but you can't hide...:sneaky:

<------ What do you think?:)

CUTE!!! :nice::nice:

That mouse has a huge 'awww' factor. I bet he'd take your finger off if he got the chance though. lol

Those teeth do look pretty menacing.

Oregon?? :thinking: Why Oregon? You can run, but you can't hide...:sneaky:

 

I got it off a show (cutewithchris.com)...

 

 

What? Do you live in Oregon?

^ Yes, indeedy. :D

I can't find the Oregon reference on that site, but I'll take your word for it. ;)