This species thrives in arid, sandy or gravel deserts and tends to create burrows beneath sandy mounds, avoiding rockier terrain. It has remarkable adaptations to its harsh environment, efficiently obtaining water from its food while minimizing water loss by producing dry feces and concentrated urine. It doesn't sweat and mostly ventures out at night. Its diet primarily consists of plant matter like seeds, roots, bulbs, leaves, and fruit, occasionally supplemented by insects like grasshoppers. Breeding typically occurs during cooler months, and in favorable years, they can have up to 3 litters annually. A typical litter includes 3 to 7 offspring, born after a gestation period of 18 to 31 days. Weaning takes place after about a month, at which point the young leave the maternal nest. Females can become pregnant again immediately after giving birth. These rodents are capable of breeding as early as 53 days old and generally live in the wild for around 2 years.

Sand dune ecosystem: The crescent-shaped sand dunes are considered one of the prominent features of the terrestrial environment of the State of Qatar.In southern Qatar, huge sand dunes rise from the desert plain. These dunes are shaped by the wind and are constantly shifting. In certain conditions, the movement of sand grains creates a low humming sound. The dunes near Mesai’eed are one of the few places on Earth where this phenomenon of ‘singing’ sand dunes can be heard. The plants and animals that survive in the intense heat and unstable sands of the dunes are supremely well adapted to the challenging conditions.

Wittmer, W., Büttiker, W., & Krupp, F. (1979). Fauna of Arabia (Vol. 6, Issue 3 of Fauna publication). Pro Entomologia c/o Natural History Museum