Objective To lay a foundation for the study of Meridian gerbils and provide data support for researchers who develop animal models using Meriones meridianus. Methods The morphological indexes, nephron densities and histological characteristics of the kidneys of wild M. meridianus and laboratory Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were compared. Results Comparison of the wild M. meridianus and laboratory SD rats showed that the ratios of medullary to cortical area, inner medullary to cortical area and inner medullary to renal section area were significantly different. In addition, the ratio of proximal and distal tubules per unit area, the kidney/ body weight ratio and nephron density also showed significant interspecies differences. Conclusions The renal morphology and histological characteristics of wild M. meridianus show a significant correlation with their ability to concentrate urine, and are consistent with the characteristics of the kidneys of other drought-tolerant mammals.