Fat Sand Rat
Psammomys obesus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernMammalia · Rodentia · Muridae
About
The fat sand rat is a terrestrial mammal from the gerbil subfamily that is mostly found in North Africa and the Middle East, ranging from Mauritania to the Arabian Peninsula. This species usually lives in sandy deserts, but may also be found in rocky terrain or saline marsh areas. Fat sand rats are very selective in their diet, only eating stems and leaves of plants from the family Amaranthaceae, more commonly known as the amaranth family. In captivity, fat sand rats can become obese and rapidly develop diabetes-like symptoms when fed the diet typically given to other rodents. P. obesus has an average lifespan of 14 months in the wild and 3–4 years in captivity.
Fun Fact
Fat sand rats are one of the very few rodents that develop type 2 diabetes when fed a standard lab diet — in the wild they eat only saltbush, and their metabolism is exquisitely adapted to that low-calorie diet.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Sandy deserts and salt flats
Diet
Herbivore
Lifespan
2-3 years
Threats
- Off-Road Vehicles
- Climate Change