Some species plug their burrow entrances with soil to retain moisture and keep hot air out. Most are dormant during winter. Although jerboas drink water in captivity, in natural habitats they obtain it from food.

How do jerboas survive?

Jerboas survive in the desert by burrowing. By living underground they can escape from the heat of the day in hot deserts and from the cold of the winter in cold deserts. ... Asiatic jerboas plug the entrances to their burrows in winter to keep out the cold. These winter burrows can be up to 3 metres deep.

How does a jerboa survive in the desert?

The jerboa uses plugs of soil to seal entrances, helping to camouflage the burrow, maintain tolerable internal temperatures and contain moisture. ... The jerboa species that live in the hot desert environments such as the Sahara stay in their burrows, in a state of torpor, through the summers.