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The Libyan Jird is a member of
the Muridae and comes from a wide ranging area across th Middle East and North Africa. The are said to inhabit lowland areas as this area contains more vegetative areas as these are the primary sources
of the Jirds food.  We have 3 pairs of Libyan Jirds but have only been keeping them
a short period of time.
Libyan Jirds are about 5 - 6 inches in body length with the tail being as long again. The upper body
is a sandy colouration with the lower body being a much paler colouration. They do appear very similar to other Jirds but
the Libyan Jirds can easily be identified by having black toe nails. This is not present in other Jird species. The tail is mostly the same colour as the upper body but does darken towards the tip of the tail.
I have noticed that the Libyan Jirds can rapidly shake their back legs which makes a rattling sound, very much like
a Rattlesnake. As I use wooden boxes as nests this seems to amplify the sound and the
first time I heard it I wondered what on earth it was. Upon investigation I found this was used a warning system to the other
Jirds.
Jirds are a nervous little animal that tend to skip in and out of their nest areas. Once they get to know
you they become quite friendly and will come out to greet you. If you sit back and watch them from a distance the constantly
skip in and out of the nest area and are always on the look out for any sign of danger. You tend to see one Jird foraging
or digging whilst the other is much more alert to its surroundings.
My Libyan Jirds are kept in either 3ft or 4ft
fish tanks with wood and mesh lids to provide maximum ventilation. Libyan Jirds like to be kept dry.
We use easy - bed
as the substrate and use about 4 inches in depth as Jirds like to dig. We use wooden hides and pet quality paper bedding for
nesting material.
I do not use plastic houses / dishes in
the enclosure as the Jirds tend to nibble these. I am not sure if they would ingest this plastic but as a precaution I do
not use them. We offer them rodent chews / sticks as an alternative which
they seem to enjoy chewing. We also provide them with dog biscuits not only do they help the teeth but the provide calcium
and vitamins. Apple and Pear tree branches are another useful aid as long as they are free from pesticides and chemicals,
the Jirds really seem to enjoy stripping the bark.
Libyan Jirds love a sand bath, we use Chinchilla sand. Without
a sand bath the Jirds coats become greasy and unkempt. I usually place sand in a heavy pot bowl so that it can't be tipped
over and place it in enclosure for an hour or so. This is done twice a week.
Diet
My Libyan Jirds are fed numerous food items. These include numerous seeds which are mixed together.
I also feed
Rabbit food, Guinea Pig food, Hamster food, Gerbil food, fresh carrots, small corn on the cob, broccoli, cauliflower,
bits of apple, pear etc.
Breeding Libyan Jirds
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