Gerbils are mammals from the Rodentia order, with the scientific name, Meriones Unguiculatus. These rodents belong to the Muridae family subfamily Gerbillinae and are known for their friendly demeanor, inquisitive nature, and boundless energy.
Although there are many gerbil species in the wild, Mongolian gerbils are the most common breed used as pets. Their general hue is gray in the wild but after selective breeding, these are nurtured in brown, gray, red, white, orange, pink, and olive colors as well. The Gerbils have a thick coat of soft fur. The gerbil’s back feet are long and narrow to assist them in jumping and long claws help them to dig.
The Mongolian Gerbils are also known as “Clawed jirds”, “Clawed femur” and “Small Clawed Warrior”.
They have excellent hearing power and considerably good vision.
Gerbils are the easiest rodents to keep as pets as these are easy to care for, require small space, and can be hand-tamed through gentle handling.
Gerbils, native to arid regions of Africa, Asia, and Southern Turkey through the Middle East, Arabian Peninsula, eastward to Mongolia and northern China have gained popularity as beloved household pets.
MALE Vs FEMALE
There is a very small difference in terms of size and temperament of both male and female gerbils. In some species, males are slightly larger as compared to females. The pair of males in the same enclosure, however, seems to be more playful.
Behavior and Temperament
As pets, they are diurnal and quite active at night sometimes when they love to run gerbil wheels and explore tubes and tunnels. During the day, pet gerbils sleep in soft nests made of bedding or nesting material, for a short duration. These curious pets are social creatures and love to explore their cage when kept with a same-sex cage partner.
Gerbils are in general very friendly and love gentle handling. These intelligent creatures can be tamed for handling, starting their training at a young age.
Gerbil Life Expectancy
The gerbils are short-lived creatures with an average life expectancy of 2-4 years. It also varies from species to species.
However, at times it can live for 6 years with good care.
Care Sheet Of the Gerbil
An important topic I would cover is how to properly care for a Gerbil. They require spacious cages with ample bedding, playing areas, and hiding places. A well-balanced diet with gentle handling helps your gerbil to lead a healthy life.
Gerbil Cage
The cage of a gerbil should be spacious enough so that you provide enough wandering space for your little furry friend. For example, I use a 20-gallon cage with a deep base that accommodates a 6-8” height thick layer of bedding for my little gerbils to tunnel in and dig.
Large enclosures such as aquariums are preferred over wire cages as the gerbils may hurt themselves while kicking bedding. The base should be made from metal which is water and rust-resistant and hence very easy to clean.
I prefer a,4 view window that allows me to see my gerbils frolicking around in an environment designed to simulate natural conditionals from 360 angles. It would help if you did not place your gerbil’s cage near direct sunlight. The temperature of the enclosure can be around 68-75.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wooden enclosures are preferred over plastic cages for gerbils because they tend to chew plastic parts which is very hazardous to them. The bedding of the Gerbil can be laid easily on a solid surface. You should also check for an escape-proof lid of the enclosure.
Specific Substrate Needs- Bedding Of Gerbil
The bedding should be deep enough to provide comfortable and cozy bedding to your gerbil. There are certain points to be taken care of while setting up the bedding with a particular material.
Therefore, dust-free aspen wood shavings, granulated corn cob, and hemp bedding are great options. These should be free from preservatives, or other chemicals for maintaining the good health of your gerbil. A 2” dye-free aspen bedding or paper towel and tissues are good options for giving burrowing options to your gerbil.
Good quality hay, shredded paper, and cardboard are also convenient to be used as a nesting material. You should not use cotton wool or similar bedding products as the strands of cotton get struck in their legs and pose a serious risk to their health.
Hemp bedding has good odor control and better absorption. These are 100% biodegradable and great for composting after the usage
Cleaning Of The Cage
The gerbil cage needs regular cleaning and deep cleaning every week. You should remove soiled spots in the bedding daily and the complete bedding needs to be changed weekly. The other materials such as ladders, tube tunnels, Exercise wheels, and ceramic decor need to be washed mild soap solution.
Exercise And Toys For A Gerbil
The gerbils are very active and keep on exploring their cage. These physical movements are needed to keep your gerbils mentally stimulated and healthy. It is advisable to keep gerbils in pairs so that they can enjoy the company of each other. The toys in their cage provide enough exercise required for the well-being of your little friend.
The Gerbils love to keep themselves busy by hopping from one point to another in their cage. You can provide tunnel tubes, climbing material, ramps, platforms, ladders, wooden blocks, ramps, etc.
You can provide an exercise wheel to roll and enjoy. They explore every corner of their cage and enjoy wandering around. Another excellent option is to create a Gerbil-safe open space with tubes and boxes they can climb into.
These activities along with building nests, hiding food, and burrowing keep them busy throughout the day. These activities are a must for maintaining the overall health of your Gerbil.
What Does A Gerbil Eat?
The Gerbils love to enjoy roots, grass, fruits, insects, bird nestlings, hatched chicks, and vegetables. In captivity, they can be served with nuts, fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, peas and fruits like apples or bananas can be given.
Moreover, oats, basil, parsley, beans, lean meats, cereals, mealworms, tofu, and unsalted nuts are good choices. However, a formulated pelleted food along with some raisins and currants can also be given. As the seeds have a considerable amount of fat, you should limit the amount when feeding your gerbil. Watch out for sun-flower seeds, those are super fatty and make great high-value treats.
You should serve fresh vegetables in a separate dish so that you can easily clean them later. You can also give little dog biscuits in small quantities as a treat when you have to build trust with your gerbil and train it for handling.
You should also provide clean drinking water through a sipper water bottle as water in a bowl can be messy.
Enrichment Through Feeding
- Scatter feed: I recommend feeding just a bit more than the requirement of 1tsp per gerbil to ensure they are getting enough. Scatter feeding allows for them to forage for their food, and prevents one gerbil from hoarding all the choice pieces of food.
- Foraging for food: Besides scatter feeding, spice it up once and a while and fill a toilet roll with food and pinch the edges closed, wrap the food in a paper towel, or find other creative ways to hide food for them to have to find.
- Foraging for hay: You can do the same as above with various hays as well.
Grooming And Dental Care
The gerbils do not require any special grooming. The gerbils are clean creatures and self-groom themselves by rolling in the sand. You can provide a small sand- container inside your cage so that they rub their bodies.
The water baths are not recommended for gerbils as they leach some vital molecules from their coat. This in turn leads to the development of skin infections. However, you can at times gently brush the hair of your gerbil, if required, else if you find any dirt or debris in their paws, it can be easily cleaned with a wet wipe.
The front teeth of Gerbils keep on growing therefore chewy materials like wood chews, mineral chews, and chew tubes are a must in its habitat. Apart from that trimming from a vet is also needed at times.
Handling Of Your Gerbil
The gerbils are social creatures and make good companions at home but they may take some time to acclimatize to a new environment.
The little furry creatures can be hand-tamed with the help of some treats. As you build some trust with them you can try to gently hold your gerbil with your cupped hands. You can gradually increase handling time after understanding the reaction of your gerbil.
As gerbils move very fast it may be tempting to hold it through its tail but you should never do so. You should avoid touching the tail of your gerbil as it may undergo a tail slip. Gerbil tail slip is a self-defense mechanism in which a gerbil loses its tail’s skin and sometimes a part of it. After the tail slips, the skin of the gerbil becomes tender and susceptible to infection.
It is better to lie low while handling if you are a novice handler. Creating a playpen is also a great idea to play with your gerbil where it gets a chance to explore a new area other than the enclosure.
Potential Health Issues With Gerbil
If your Gerbil shows behavioral changes like loss of appetite, sluggishness, watery eyes, discharge from the nose and wet tail are some of the indications of ill health.
If your gerbil seems to be exhausted while breathing it is an indication of an infection,
A fragile tail is also an indication of ill health. The gerbils can catch some bacterial infections.
They may develop some skin issues such as hair loss and skin irritation. If you observe your gerbil being thirsty most of the time and undergoing frequent urination, there is a possibility of some kidney issues.
You can also check for droppings, if these are not well-formed or moist, there is a need to consult a veterinarian.
Moreover, as a regular practice, the Gerbil should be regularly checked for its overall health.
Pros And Cons Of Keeping A Gerbil As A Pet
It is mandatory to evaluate all pluses and minuses before making a gerbil your companion.
Pros
- The gerbils do not require a lot of space.
- It is quite entertaining to watch their activities
- These can be hand tamed
Cons
- You will have to take out time for feeding and cleaning their cage.
- These are not so much ideal for young children
- It is a bit messy with their bedding as it is to be changed frequently.
Up Keep Cost
The gerbils are easy to care for pets but to cherish them with care needs some expenses regularly. For instance, the bedding of its cage needs to be regularly changed. Apart from that you will have to replace some chew blocks, bedding, and other items in the enclosure. The visit to the veterinarian can also change your expected budget. The overall upkeep cost can be around $15.
Interesting Facts About Gerbil
- The gerbils are a subject for animal research as they are susceptible to bacterial , viral, and parasitic pathogens
- These are named after jerboas.[ jerboas are also rodents]
- The gerbils can jump as far as 11.5 feet
- The gerbils recognize each other through their peculiar smells
- Gerbils shred material for nesting as it helps them wear their teeth.
- Gerbils have adapted to survive in harsh desert environments by conserving water through their urine and producing dry feces.
- These small rodents are highly social animals and communicate through a variety of vocalizations, body language, and scent marking.
- Gerbils are prolific breeders, with females capable of producing multiple litters throughout the year. However, responsible breeding practices are essential to prevent overpopulation and ensure the health of both parents and offspring.
- Tail slip is a self-defense mechanism in gerbils in which it looses its skin of the tail or a part of it.
- The gerbils drum their feet if agitated.
Similar Pets
While the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is the most common species kept as pets, there are several other gerbil species worth mentioning, including the fat-tailed gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi) and the African gerbil (Tatera spp.). Each species has its unique characteristics and care requirements, so be sure to research thoroughly before bringing one home.
- Hamsters(Cricetinae)
- Degu(Octodon degus)
- African Dormouse(Graphiurus)
- Fat tailed Gerbils(Pachyuromys duprasi
Gerbil Vs Hamster
Both gerbil and hamsters are mammals of the order Rodentia. They look similar but there are difference in their physical features, size and temperament. The cage requirements are also similar and both love to enjoy vegetables and nuts. But their relationship with humans are slightly different. The gerbils are more social and ideal for children and when kept in pairs of same sex , they tend to enjoy their stay.
Where To Buy The Gerbil?
The gerbils have become popular pets and are easily available at pet stores. Moreover, you can also get them through authentic breeders and rescue groups.
The American Gerbil Society provides you with a complete list of ethical breeders. The cost of a gerbil is between $10-$20 depending on the color, age, and gender of the gerbil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What are gerbils?
Answer: Gerbil is a rodent belonging to the subfamily Gerbillinae. Their body size is typically 110–135 mm. These cute little creatures look similar to a rat.
Question 2: Is Gerbil a mouse?
Answer: The gerbils are in the rodent family Muridae, which includes mice and rats, but are classed in their subfamily, the Gerbillinae.
Question 3: How long do gerbils typically live?
Answer: With proper care, gerbils can live an average of 2-4 years, although some may live longer with good genetics and a healthy lifestyle.
Question 4: What is tail slip in Gerbils?
Answer: It is a self-defence mechanism of saving the gerbil in wild. When a predator grabs the tail, it slips off and predator gets only the tail of the gerbil. But in captivity, if tail is hurt or traumatised, a tail slip happens. It is not a very common phenomenon and can be prevented through gentle handling and keeping your gerbil without stress.
Question 5: Can gerbils be housed with other small pets like hamsters or mice?
Answer: While it’s not recommended to house gerbils with other small pets due to the risk of aggression and territorial conflicts, they can coexist peacefully with gerbil companions of the same species.
Question 6: Should I get a hamster or a gerbil?
Answer: Both hamsters and gerbils are beginner-friendly pets but gerbils are more docile and friendly. A hamster may bite you if not handled properly.
Question 7: How to know that my gerbil is not well?
Answer: If you observe discharge from the nose or eyes if your gerbil faces difficulty in breathing else if it is lethargic these can be some of the signs of ill health.
Question 8: Do gerbils smell?
Answer: The gerbils do have natural odors that may be more noticeable in certain circumstances or if their environment isn’t adequately maintained.
Question 9: Should I get a male or female gerbil?
Answer: Both male and female gerbils are equally good to be kept as a pet. The females tend to be more territorial as compared to males.
Question 10: Should I get a single gerbil or a pair of gerbils?
Answer: The gerbils love the company of same sex gerbils as they run after each other and remain playful. The habitat should have enough space to accommodate two gerbils.
