Duprasi are closely related to the Mongolian gerbil which are commonly found in pet shops. They have very similar appearances to that of dwarf hamsters with a distinctive thick short tail in which they store excess water and fat. They are commonly referred to as "fat tail gerbils" due to this. They have very smooth soft coats that have the same texture as that of chinchillas, but their coats tend to be more of a golden brown color.
Temperament:
Females tend to be territorial and occasionally have tendencies to fear nip. Males tend to make the best pets, but both can be social and friendly towards their humans. They are diurnal, which means they sleep at random points throughout the day after short spurts of activity. They are deep sleepers and often remain asleep for a few seconds after being picked up, but are generally very amicable when woken.
Social Interaction w/ Own Species:
Same sex and opposite sex groups do tend to interact well with one another. Same sex pairs are recommended for those that are kept as pets as they tend to be more willing to socialize with their humans, while opposite sex pairs tend to be more territorial and concentrate primarily with interaction with one another.
Habitat:
Duprasi tend to dig frequently and are recommended to be kept in adequately sized aquariums. My recommendation would be to keep one pair in at least a 10 - 20 gallon aquarium so that they are supplied with enough space. I use Aspen bedding for my duprasi, but Carefresh may also be used. Cedar and pine are not recommended for any rodentia type animals as they tend to cause allergic reactions. You should use a thick layer of bedding so that they are able to dig and burrow, at least 4 inches would be recommended. I also provide them with chew toys and nest boxes, which they use regularly. Also, you should provide your duprasi with a wheel so that they are able to get exercise, which mine use constantly.
Diet