Shaw's Jird
Scientific name: Meriones shawi
Size: 30cm long including tail
Lifespan: 4-6 years
Natural range: coastal desert regions of North Africa and the Middle East
Housing
- aquarium with wire mesh lid is best or a cage with a deep metal tray
- allow at least 30gal per individual
- females are extremely territorial and should be housed individually
- males can be housed in pairs
- Bedding: aspen
- Accessories: solid metal wheel, branches, tubes, nest box, wood chews
Food
- mixture of high quality commercial rodent seed mix, kitten kibble and rodent blocks
- should have free access to timothy hay
- fresh fruits and veggies weekly
- occassional mealworm or cricket
Breeding
- Maturity: 2 months in males and 3 months in females
- Gestation: 21-23 days
- Litter size: 2-6
- breeding is best achieved in a pair situation, as females will fight in the presence of a male
- females will also become aggressive to the male if she feels overcrowded
- eyes open at 14 days old
- should be weaned by 5 weeks old