Bushy-tailed Jird

Coat and looks how to spot one

Soft desert fur with a long, plumed tail

A neat, big-eared jird with long back feet whose soles are bare, which helps it grip rock. Its signature feature is a well-furred tail held up like a plume, with long hairs that fan out for a feathery look and a white tip at the end. Pale rings around the eyes give it a wide-eyed face.12

Personality what they are like

A lively, social jird that likes to live in a group, sleeping in a huddle and grooming companions. It is a night owl, most active from late evening until early morning, and spends its waking hours exploring, climbing and storing food.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Very active at night. Being a natural rock climber, it benefits from height and climbing structures as well as space to explore and dig.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keeps its coat tidy through its own and mutual grooming. Its food-caching habit means stored food should be checked and refreshed regularly.2

Home where they are happiest

Wild animals shelter under rocks and boulders in very dry, rocky terrain where yearly rainfall is often below 100 mm. A dry, escape-proof enclosure with rocks or branches to climb and hiding places to retreat to mirrors this natural setting.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous: in the wild it eats seeds, herbs, parts of small shrubs and insects, and it stores food for later.2

Company who they like around

Prefers group living; wild animals sleep huddled together and groom one another. Communicates mostly without sound, using foot thumping and scent marks from a belly gland.2

The story where it all began

The species was scientifically described by Oldfield Thomas in 1892 and is the only member of its genus, Sekeetamys. It is a desert specialist of the Middle East and north-east Africa, and its range in Israel is reported to be spreading northwards.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Wild species assessed as Least Concern with a stable population trend1