The lesser jerboa, inhabiting desert areas ranging from sandy to rocky environments, is a nocturnal species. It sustains itself on seeds, insects, and succulent grasses, relying on its acute sense of smell to detect food. Remarkably, this species doesn't require water intake, as it derives necessary moisture from its diet. Despite its small size, the lesser jerboa traverses up to ten km in search of food each night, aided by its hind legs that can cover distances of up to three m in a single jump. It constructs intricate burrows with multiple exits, storage chambers, and possibly a hibernation chamber, displaying complex behaviors. During hot or dry periods, it aestivates within its burrow, and it is believed to hibernate during winters, though further research is needed to confirm. Breeding twice a year, between June and July and from October to December, this species exhibits an unusual mating ritual where males stand on their hind legs and approach females, intermittently slapping them with their short front limbs. Successful matings result in four to five offspring, with sexual maturity reached at eight to 12 months.

Rawda, which means garden, are pockets of green in the desert. They form in depressions in the desert surface. Fine soils blown by the wind are gradually deposited and compacted in the depressions, allowing plants to grow in it. These soils hold water far better than the rocky or sandy surroundings. Rawda are known as sweet soil areas, as they are so fertile. Many different plants and animals thrive in these hospitable conditions. People use them for farming and date plantations.

Jennings, Michael C. (Author), Krupp, Friedhelm (Editor), Al-Suwaiyel, Mohammed bin Ibrahim (Preface By). (Series: Fauna of Arabia, Volume:11 ). Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia. Publisher: Karger Libri. 1990.