Abstract: Objective To observe the growth and behavior of Meriones meridianus jie at 4th generation in domestication. Methods Body weight, body length, tail length, hind foot length and self thermoregulation ability were measured, and changes of the morphological characteristics and behavior were observed from birth to 150 days of M.meridianus. Results The changes of appearance morphology showed from glabrous to hair at the age of 0-5 days old. The hair growth and activity were increased gradually at 6-13 days old. The eyes began to open at 14 days old.The animal began to feed baits at 17 days old with increasing bait and decreasing milk gradually. The thermoregulatory mechanisms was not established before the age of 25 days old. The growth of body weight began to differentiation between female and male at 30 days old with the male slightly greater than the female.The female and male were grew slowly thereafter, and took part in breeding after 70 days old. Conclusion According to the behavior and growth characteristics of M. meridianus, growth and development of the animals is divided into four stages: suckling stage between the birth to 24 days old, juvenile stage between 25~40 days old, subadult stage between 40 to 70 days old, and adult stage over 70 days old.

Key words: Meriones meridianus jie, Growth, Development, Characteristics, Growth rate