jerboa rat
- noun
- Australian
:
rata jerboá
- The jerboa rat is known for its impressive leaping ability in the Australian outback.
Examples
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Many predators find it difficult to catch a jerboa rat because of its powerful hind legs.
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The jerboa rat can jump over three feet high.
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Researchers observed the jerboa rat adapting quickly to changes in its environment.
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Have you ever seen a jerboa rat in the wild?
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In the Australian desert, the jerboa rat can leap several feet to escape from predators.
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The jerboa rat uses its long hind legs to bound across the sandy terrain of its habitat.
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While exploring the outback, we spotted a jerboa rat effortlessly hopping among the bushes.
Synonyms
A small animal like a mouse that lives in Australia and New Guinea
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derived from combining 'jerboa' (a mouselike, jumping rodent) with 'rat' (a rodent): it denotes a rodent that is jerboa-like or a type of rat with leaping adaptations. Noun‑noun compounds that indicate a subtype are a common, compositional pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Jerboa rat may come from comparing this Australian rodent to the desert animal called a jerboa, because it has long back legs and makes big jumps. The word rat was added because it looks like a rat, so the name suggests a 'rat-like jumper' and helps you remember its jumping ability.
