Jumping Jerboa / Koshayak / Jerboa

Jerboa

Status: Near Threatened, NT: R

Distribution in general and in the country. Deserts of the Ural region to Southern Transbaikalia, Mongolia, Northern China. Chui steppe in Altai, most of Kazakhstan. In Kyrgyzstan, there are two subspecies of jerboas that are isolated from each other: A.S. altorum Ogn inhabits the Issyk-Kul basin and Kochkor valley, A.s. dementiewi in At-Bashi, Arpa, and Aksay [32].

Habitat. Animals prefer relatively flat or gently sloping clayey, sometimes pebbly areas covered with sparse grassy vegetation. Predominantly, these are deserts or semi-deserts; the highland subspecies can also inhabit steppe biotopes at altitudes up to 3500 m, but again is more associated with desert landscapes [6]. The subspecies below does not descend below the mid-mountain region [3].

Population. Data is scarce. For example, during trapping with traps, the percentage of captures in the Atbashi Valley was 15.7%, while in the Kochkor Valley it was 28% [3].

Life style (life cycles). Leads a nocturnal lifestyle. Hibernates in winter. In the highlands of Ak-Say, it begins hibernation in September and emerges in early April. At lower altitudes, in Issyk-Kul, where the climate is milder, the duration of seasonal wakefulness is significantly longer. Primarily feeds on plants - leaves, seeds, bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, and occasionally on insects. Breeding occurs from May to June. The number of embryos varies from 2 to 6, averaging around 4. Young jerboas appear in June [29].

Limiting factors. Weather conditions in the mid-mountain and highland areas, predators.

Breeding (keeping in captivity). Does not represent economic interest; there is no need for its maintenance and breeding.

Existing conservation measures. None.

Recommended conservation measures. Preservation of habitats for these subspecies.

Jerboa

Jerboa
Allactaga saltator Eversmann (1848)
Status. VI, Near Threatened, NT: R. A.s. altorum occurs in Issyk-Kul Region and Kochkor Valley, A.s. dementiewi - in At-Bashi, Arpa, and Aksay Rivers valleys. Those two races are isolated from each other. Prefers plain or slightly sloping habitats, sometimes with pebbly spots with wilted grass. Those are deserts and semi-deserts. Data on numbers is scarce. Percentage of jerboas’ falling into traps is 15.7 in At-Bashi Valley, and 28 - in Kochkor Valley. Jerboas are nocturnal animals, hibernate in winter time. In highland Ak-Say Valley, Jerboas start to dormant in September, end in beginning of April. In Issyk-Kul Region, waking season is longer. Uses for food leaves, seeds, bulbs, roots, and tubers, sometimes - in insects. Limiting factors are weather conditions in highlands and predators. No need to breed it in captivity. No special protection measures are undertaken so far. It is recommended to conserve habitats.