Any of numerous rodents with elongated back legs, good at hopping or jumping. Gerbils range from mouse- to rat-size, and have hairy tails. Many of the 13 genera live in dry, sandy, or sparsely vegetated areas of Africa and Asia. (Family Cricetidae.)
The Mongolian jird or gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is a popular pet.
The temple of Angkor Wat had five towers but often only three are depicted. Red and blue recall the earlier flags of Cambodia. Effective date: 20 June 1993.