Seasonal and hourly activity of Rhombomys opimus in the endemic focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan, Iran.

For the study of the seasonal and hourly activity of the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus in an endemic focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (Isfahan), two colonies were selected in which the number of gerbils was counted by visual sighting. The study shows that the gerbils are quite active from August through December. After a decrease in January and February, once again they become active but not as much as early Autumn. In the hot months of the year the gerbils are active only early in the morning and late in the afternoon. In the cooler months, they are active in the middle of the day. In cold parts of the year the activity of gerbils decreases very considerably.