Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Endangered Animals from the Desert

Along with the Bactrian Camel many other unique species living in our deserts are becoming endangered. the Jeroba, the "Mickey Mouse of the desert" now joins the Bactrian camel on the endangered species list....

"IT WOULD not look out of place in a Disney cartoon or perhaps being chased through the desert by Wile E Coyote if ever the Road Runner needed a stand-in.
With its huge ears, big black eyes and kangaroo-like legs, way out of proportion to its mouse-sized body, it is little wonder that the nocturnal long-eared jerboa has been described as the "Mickey Mouse of the desert".

But the insect-eating rodent's fate is no laughing matter, as conservationists pointed out yesterday: it is one of ten species in grave danger of becoming extinct if nothing is done to help them."

To read the full article:http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/ViewArticle.aspx?articleid=3588837