>In particular, I now have the photos of the mysterious animal sold to
>Gemma Cope as Gerbillus campestris.
>
>I am interested in hearing from anyone who can help identify what this
>animal is. I am not even sure it is a gerbil.
>
>www.gerbils.co.uk/gerbils/mystery2.htm
Rodentia. Some sort of rodent. It has more of a marsupial look,
in the rear foot seen in the first picture, and the size and placement
of the eyes. And by your testimony, the wanting to use the tail in
prehensile motives. Possum of a certain sort might not be out of
the question then, they range from size of large hamster (4 oz
or about 115 grams) to ones larger than housecats, more like
knee high.
However, if you had examined the females you would have found
evidence of pouching, and you did not mention such a thing in the
text on that page with the pictures.
Second guess is a version of a kangaroo rat, bush rat, or some
other desert dwelling rodent.
I agree, the head is wrong for a gerbil, so is that tail, and so are
the paws.....
Just my .00002 cents worth.
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
