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September 5, 2008 9:36:44 PM CDT

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'Mickey Mouse of the Desert'

Posted Dec 10, 07 6:10 PM CST in Science & Health 

(Newser) – A rare rodent with jumbo ears and a kangaroo hop has been nabbed on video for possibly the first time, the BBC reports. Scientists who braved the Gobi desert recently observed the jerboa as part of a plan to help the endangered and extremely rare mammal. The critter amazed them with its snow-shoe like feet and "one of the biggest ear-to-body ratios out there," as one scientist put it.

"The long-eared jerboa is a bit like the Mickey Mouse of the desert, cute and comic in equal measure," he added—but the jumpy creature is already threatened by a disturbance to its habitat. It is one of 10 species that the Zoological Society of London plans to help this year, even if it means trekking through deserts, regions that one scientist said “are overlooked” in conservation planning.

Source BBC

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The long-eared jerboa is rarely documented in the wild, and enthusiastic researchers intend to use the footage to further conservation efforts.   (Getty Images)
The endangered long-eared jerboa is found in the desert climates of China and Mongolia.   (Getty Images)
"These creatures hop just like a kangaroo; it is amazing to watch. Little hairs on their feet, almost like snow shoes, allow them to jump along the sand," explained one researcher.   (Getty Images)
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Long-Eared Jerboa   (theoakridgekid (YouTube))

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Tags

China  • London  • endangered species  • Mickey Mouse  • Mongolia  • Zoological Society of London  • Gobi desert


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