also: とびねずみ
noun
jerboa
Refers to any rodent of the family Dipodidae, known for long hind legs and jumping locomotion.
トビネズミは砂漠に住んでいる。
Jerboas live in the desert.
動物園でトビネズミを見た。
I saw a jerboa at the zoo.
Compound of 跳び (tobi, 'jumping', from 跳ぶ) and ネズミ (nezumi, 'mouse/rat'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the name describes the animal's jumping movement.