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The gerbil or "sand rat" is a burrowing rodent belonging to the Gerbillinae family. There are nearly 100 different species of gerbil, most of which are found in Asia and Africa. This mouse-like rodent is native to dry, desert areas, where they live on seeds, roots, and plant matter.
GERBILS AS PETS
The most common type of gerbil kept as a pet is the Mongolian gerbil, which has been kept domestically for some 30-years.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Domestic gerbils come in a variety of colors including black, slate blue, gray, white, brown, gold, orange, and a mixture of many colors. Some gerbils have patterns or spotting, which produce a white patch on the forehead and a white collar-like marking around the neck and tail.
Mongolian gerbils are 4-6 inches long, excluding their flexible, hair covered tail. Gerbils have large eyes and ears and long hind legs.
PERSONALITIES
Gerbils are happiest in pairs, as are most rodents who are kept domestically. Gerbils are social animals in the wild and tend to fair better when coupled with another. Two female gerbils can safely be kept in the same living environment. Two males kept in the same space tend to fight for dominance.
Gerbils are affectionate rodents, who will play and interact well with their owners. They're also extremely intelligent and will go to great extremes to keep themselves occupied. This is another good reason why two are better than one.
HOUSING
The safest and easiest-to-maintain gerbil houses are wire cages or large (at least 10-gallon) aquariums. Whichever house structure you choose, it should have a wire mesh top, to prevent the gerbil from crawling out. Your gerbil's living environment should be lined with bedding or litter and cleaned twice weekly.
The gerbil's space should be filled with toys and challenges to keep your pet active and stimulated. There are variety of rodent approved toys available commercially, like wheels, multi-level domes and bells. You can also use items from around the house to stimulate your pet. Most rodents love tubes, in which they can run through and chew. Paper towel or toilet paper rolls are favorite toys among many small rodents.
BEDDING
Like many other domestic rodents, gerbils require bedding or litter. Avoid using pine and cedar wood shavings in the gerbil's cage, as the harmful oils of these substances are dangerous to most rodents. Appropriate bedding can include newspapers, rags, aspen chips, paper towels or shredded cardboard.
FEEDING
Commercial gerbil food is available at pet stores and comes pre-mixed to provide the gerbil with a well-balanced diet. Gerbils enjoy sunflower seeds, alfalfa pellets, vegetables and nuts. Your gerbil should be provided with fresh water daily. Specially made water bottles which attach to the inside of the cage are highly recommended. Because gerbil's teeth grow continuously throughout his lifetime, you'll also need to provide him with a sterilized bone or twig. Twigs and small branches can be picked from outside, as long as pesticides have not been used on the tree.
HANDLING
Gerbils should be handled daily. Like many rodents, they are social animals. Always wash your hands before picking up your rodent to prevent spreading germs to him. Also, never pick a rodent up by its tail. Always support the underside of the gerbil with one hand.
HEALTH CONCERNS
ALLERGIES Gerbils have a high potential to suffer from allergy problems. Many allergies come from their living environment, so they're relatively easy to treat or correct. Gerbils are allergic to sawdust, cedar wood shavings, and sometimes, pinewood shavings. Gerbils suffer an allergic reaction will have a runny nose and fluid which runs from its eyes.
DIARRHEA is suffered in gerbils when they're eating too much green food. You can correct this by feeding your rodent greens only twice a week. Stale food also has the potential to cause diarrhea in gerbils. Avoid leaving old food in your pet's cage. If you have several gerbils, keep them isolated during diarrhea outbreaks.
PARASITES are uncommon in gerbils, but not unheard of. Pets which itch, have external blisters or hair loss should be seen by a veterinarian.
LIFESPAN
Mongolian gerbils have an average lifespan of 3-4 years.
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