any small nocturnal burrowing rodent of the family Dipodidae, inhabiting dry regions of Asia and N Africa, having pale sandy fur, large ears, and long hind legs specialized for jumping
Word origin
C17: from New Latin, from Arabic yarbū`
jerboa in American English
(dʒərˈboʊə)
noun
any of a family (Dipodidae) of small, nocturnal, leaping rodents of N Africa and Asia, with very long hind legs