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What is a gerbil? a jird?
"Gerbil, common name for any of several small, burrowing rodents that have soft, sand-colored fur, a mouselike face, and long hind legs that enable them to leap about like rodents such as jerboas and kangaroo rats. Gerbils are 5 to 20 cm (2 to 8 in) long, excluding the tufted tail, which is 4 to 24 cm (2 to 9 in) in length. Sometimes called sand rats or desert rats, gerbils are found in the dry, sandy areas and grasslands of western Asia and Africa. Colonies usually live together in a tunnel that varies from a single short burrow to multiple intersecting tunnels. The animals plug the entrance of the tunnel with earth to retain moisture. Most species are active at night and feed on seeds, grasses, nuts, insects, and roots. They require little water.
Gerbils may live four to eight years in captivity, depending on the species. Litters of 1 to 14 young are born as often as once a month during the first two years. About 12 genera and more than 70 species are known. The Mongolian gerbil became a popular pet after it was introduced as a laboratory animal. It is clean, active, and friendly.
Scientific classification: Gerbils belong to the family Cricetidae. The Mongolian gerbil is classified as Meriones unguiculatus."
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Jirds are pretty much the same thing, it depends on where they (and you) are from.
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David is inspecting his hut.
This is David, my handicapped gerbil. You would never know it, though. He shredded this little hut in hours. It would've taken less, but he stopped and took a long nap. |
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Ok, now I know what one is ... What do I need to know before I buy one?
"Before you get your gerbils, you have to decide just what you're looking for. How many do you want? What colors do you prefer? Do you prefer a certain gender? Do you want to breed?
Gerbils are highly social and do not like being alone at all, not like the solitary Syrian hamster. If you're getting gerbils you must get at least two. Lone gerbils have been proven to live shorter, less healthy lives, and are often overweight and not too happy. They also tend to be harder to tame and less friendly overall. Even if you are home all day, and playing with them constantly, this does not make up for the fact that they must sleep alone, eat alone, and have no one to groom them. So a companion is essential. Both females and males will get along happily with a companion of the same sex, especially if they are siblings or kept together from the age of six to eight weeks old. Females tend to be less stable in groups larger than two, while males tend to be more tolerant of each other in groups of three, or more. However, it is recommended that the average gerbil owner stick to a pair of gerbils, as the chance of fighting increases with larger groups. Never mix gerbils from two different clans (tanks)!"
American Gerbil Society
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Good, I am ready to get one ... How do I pick?
"It is wise to have everything setup and prepared for your gerbils before bringing them home. Or even to bring the gerbils home inside the setup you've prepared. The most critical decision in adopting gerbils is selecting a pair that is friendly, tame, curious, and healthy."
"You'll want to carefully consider where you get your gerbils. While the nearest pet store might sound more convenient, it's not always the best choice. Pet store gerbils can be ill, unused to human hands, and females may be pregnant. The clerk will commonly miss-sex them as it is difficult to distinguish gender at 5-8 weeks of age. Many first time gerbil owners have turned out to be reluctant breeders, when one of their two "males" has pups."
"Choose two young gerbils of the same gender that are about six to eight weeks old. This will help ensure that they will get along well. If, for some reason, you can't get them from the same place, so long as the pups are between six to eight weeks of age they should get with little or no trouble. If for some reason your gerbils come from two different places and one or both are adults, you will have to use the Split Cage Method to introduce them."
American Gerbil Society
Gerbil Care Handbook
What do gerbils need?
- A tank is best - drafts will kill a gerbil - away from a window
- Contact numbers to a vet that will take small exotics
- A book on gerbil care (preferably by Barron's Publishing)
- Hamster food is good, but you will likely need to supplement their diet with fresh veggies and fruits - Non-breeders need 12% protien, 7% fat; Older gerbils (2+) need 10.5% protien, 4% fat; and Breeders need 15.5% protien and 8% fat.
- Rice Crispies and Cheerios are ok but don't ever give them sugar or artificial preservatives
- nuts that are fattening to us are very fattening to them
- a ceramic food dish
- chew proof water bottle
- no plastic or treated wood, but cardboard and natural wood are ok
- a secure lid for the tank
What are the colors do gerbils come in?
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Gerbils love family visits
Family gatherings are a favorite among gerbils. See? Even the pups are getting in on the fun. |
Gerbils love things to keep them busy
This is my gerbil, Pence. He loves his ladder and constantly buries his toys and food dish in bedding. This is natural behavior as he is trying to keep all of his stuff safe. |
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