Mongolian gerbil; Mongolian jird
Refers specifically to the species Meriones unguiculatus, commonly kept as a pet or used in research.
The Mongolian gerbil is a rodent that inhabits deserts.
When I was a child, I kept a Mongolian gerbil.
Katakana spelling is the most common written form.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 砂 (すな, 'sand') and 鼠 (ねずみ, 'rat, mouse'), referring to its desert habitat. The katakana spelling スナネズミ is standard for this animal name.