The upper parts are pale yellowish-grey, drab or darker brown, the hairs having blackish bases.

The claws are white, and the soles of the hind feet are densely hairy so that no bare skin is visible.

[2] The midday jird's range extends from Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia to Afghanistan, Mongolia and western China.

The entrance to the burrow is usually at the base of a plant and the tunnels may extend for up to 4 m (13 ft) horizontally and half of this vertically, being deeper in winter.

It is capable of large population swings depending on the harshness of the winter weather and the availability of food.