Psammomys

Psammomys is a genus of rodents in the family Muridae, subfamily Gerbillinae, commonly known as sand rats. The genus comprises several species native to desert regions of North Africa, the Levant, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula, where they occupy arid scrubland, dunes, and oases. They are small to medium-sized gerbils with soft fur, long tails, and hind limbs adapted for jumping. They are generally nocturnal or crepuscular and live in shallow burrows.

Psammomys species are herbivorous, feeding on green vegetation, seeds, and occasionally insects. In the wild they rely on seasonal plant resources; in captivity they readily accept pelleted diets and greens but will gain weight on high-carbohydrate diets. Reproduction varies by species but many produce several litters per year in favorable conditions.

The most widely studied species is Psammomys obesus, the fat sand rat, which has been used as a model in biomedical research on metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes due to diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance that can be produced in laboratory settings.

Conservation status is species-dependent; some Psammomys populations remain common, while others face habitat loss and environmental pressures. The genus was named from Greek psammos 'sand' and mys 'mouse' or 'rat,' reflecting its sandy habitat and rodent-like appearance.