Editing Jerboa (section)

==Anatomy and body features==
Jerboas look somewhat like miniature [[kangaroo]]s, and have some external similarities. Both have long hind legs, short forelegs, and long tails. Jerboas move around in a similar manner to kangaroos, which is by hopping, or [[Saltation (gait)|saltation]]. However, their anatomy is more attuned towards erratic hopping locomotion, making use of sharp turns and great vertical leaps to confuse and escape predators, rather than for sustained hopping over long periods of time. Researchers have found that, when jerboas execute their vertical leaps, the primary tendons in the hindlimbs only recovered and reused on average 4.4% of energy contributed to the jump; this is lower than many hopping animals.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Moore|first1=Talia Y.|last2=Rivera|first2=Alberto M.|last3=Biewener|first3=Andrew Austin|date=2017|title=Vertical leaping mechanics of the Lesser Egyptian Jerboa reveal specialization for maneuverability rather than elastic energy storage|url=https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/34461316|journal=Frontiers in Zoology|volume=14 |page=32 |doi=10.1186/s12983-017-0215-z|pmid=28680452 |pmc=5496339 |issn=1742-9994 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Jerboas have metatarsal bones that are fused into one long bone, called the cannon bone. Their cannon bone is more distinct and defined than in other rodents.<ref name=":2" /> This acts as leverage to allow them to reach higher heights while jumping, while also supporting the legs. Their back legs are often up to four times as long as the front legs. This further allows them to sling-shot themselves into the air. Jerboas that live in sandy desert environments develop hairs on the bottom of their feet that allow for better traction and grip so that they don't slip in the sand.<ref name=":3" />

Like other [[Bipedalism|bipedal]] animals, their [[foramen magnum]]—the hole at the base of the skull—is forward-shifted, which enhances two-legged locomotion.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Russo |first1=Gabrielle A. |last2=Kirk |first2=E. Christopher |year=2013 |title=Foramen magnum position in bipedal mammals |journal=Journal of Human Evolution |pmid=24055116 |doi=10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.07.007 |volume=65 |issue=5 |pages=656–70 |bibcode=2013JHumE..65..656R |citeseerx=10.1.1.591.2458}}
*{{cite web |date=27 September 2013 |title=Anthropologists confirm link between cranial anatomy and two-legged walking |website=Phys.org |url=http://phys.org/news/2013-09-anthropologists-link-cranial-anatomy-two-legged.html}}</ref> The tail of a jerboa can be longer than its head and body, and a white cluster of hair is commonly seen at the end of the tail. Jerboas use their tails to balance when hopping, and as a prop when sitting upright. Jerboa fur is fine, and usually the colour of [[Desert sand (color)|sand]]. This colour usually matches the jerboa [[habitat]] (an example of [[cryptic colouration]]).<ref name="Wildlife Encyclopedia" /><ref name="ADW">{{cite web |last=Swanson |first=Nicole |editor-last=Yahnke |editor-first=Chris |year=2007 |title=''Euchoreutes naso'' |publisher=[[Animal Diversity Web]] |url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Euchoreutes_naso.html |access-date=4 January 2012}}</ref> Some species of the jerboa family have long [[ears]] like a [[rabbit]], whilst others have ears that are short like those of a [[mouse]] or [[rat]].

In addition to the Jerboa's large ears, they also have large feet which are a result of multiple genes overlapping each other in their DNA.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=2021-11-24 |title=How the jerboa got its enormous feet |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.acx9719 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=AAAS Articles DO Group|doi=10.1126/science.acx9719 }}</ref> Researchers found a gene called the ''shox2'' gene that is [[gene expression|expressed]] in Jerboa feet. This gene has the ability to turn other genes on and off and has been seen to cause mutant limbs.<ref name=":0" />