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Did you know that there are several gerbil species?
There are different types of Gerbils that are kept as pets:
Mongolian Gerbil
Persian Gerbil
Pale Gerbil - Egyptian Gerbil
fat-tailed gerbil
The Mongolian Gerbil is the most popular pet species. In addition, there is also the Thick-tailed gerbil, which is slightly less well-known. The fat-tailed gerbil has a very different build than the Mongolian Gerbil, where the tail stands out first. The tail of the Fat-tailed Gerbil is, as the name suggests, a lot thicker than that of the Mongolian Gerbil. The tail has a different function in this gerbil species. This is because fats and moisture are stored in it. The more fat the Fat-tailed Gerbil ingests, the thicker its tail becomes. The diet of the Fat-tailed Gerbil is also slightly different from that of the Mongolian Gerbil, as it is more of an insectivore. This can also be seen in its pointed snout. It is therefore important that the Fat-tailed Gerbil also receives a (dried) insect mix in addition to its main food.
The Mongolian Gerbil is a small granivorous (seed-eating) mammal and belongs to the order of the rodents. He is very social and lives in nature as a family. They should also not be kept alone as pets. The Gerbil is active day and night and has a life expectancy of 3 to 4 years. It has a body length of 10 to 12 cm and a weight of about 70 to 130 g.
The Mongolian gerbil lives in steppes, semi-deserts and deserts in southeastern Mongolia as well as in neighboring Russia and in China. He likes to stay in fields and meadows. There he digs tunnels and builds nests and storage rooms. Gerbils have their own nutritional needs.
Gerbils are curious and very fast animals. They are active at night and during twilight. This makes them especially suitable for people who work during the day. Gerbils are not really stuffed animals, they are very nice to look at. Originally the Gerbil comes from North Africa and Asia. There they live in warm, dry areas. During the day they seek shelter from the heat in their burrows. Gerbils can live about 3 to 5 years with proper care.
Different Gerbil species
Mongolian gerbil : The Mongolian gerbil is the best known and popular gerbil species. The Mongolian gerbil lives in family groups in nature and should therefore always be kept together with at least one congener. The Mongolian gerbil has a long, hairy tail with a tuft at the end.
Persian gerbil : The Persian gerbil is larger than the Mongolian gerbil they can also live a little older, 6 to 8 years. The tail is long, hairy and has a dark tassel at the tip. Persian gerbils are group animals and should always be kept together with at least one conspecific.
Fat-tailed gerbil : The fat-tailed gerbil has slightly shorter legs than the other gerbil species. As the name suggests, the fat-tailed gerbil has a thick tail. The tail is about 4 to 6 cm long. This is a lot shorter than with the other gerbil species. The fat-tailed gerbil is very territorial and is best kept alone.
Handling the Gerbil
Try to leave the gerbils alone as much as possible when they are sleeping during the day. A gerbil can be picked up by calmly scooping it up from below. An approach from above can appear threatening to the animal. Gerbils generally don't like to be petted. However, they are not likely to bite.
All Gerbil information at a glance
In the table below we have clearly presented all information about the Gerbil for you. We have put together the four most popular gerbil species.
Mongolian Gerbil
|
fat-tailed gerbil
|
Persian
|
Egyptian
|
|
Residence LxW together min. |
5000cm 2 100 x 50 cm |
4000cm 2 100 x 40 cm |
5000cm 2 100 x 50 cm |
5000cm 2 100 x 50 cm |
Ground cover Kind |
digable | digable | digable | digable |
Bottom layer Height min. |
25/40 cm | 25/40 cm | 25/40 cm | 25/40 cm |
Nutrition |
Complete Gerbil food | The Fat-tailed Gerbil is also an insectivore by nature, so it is necessary to feed (dried) insects in addition to a complete Gerbil food. |
Complete Gerbil food | Complete Gerbil food |
Nest material |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
change Stay after ca |
8 - 12 weeks Depending on the group size |
8 - 12 weeks | 8 - 12 weeks Depending on the group size |
8 - 12 weeks Depending on the group size |
running wheel Diameter min. |
30 cm | 25/30 cm | 30 cm | 30 cm |
cottage or hiding place |
Multiple, depending on group size. At least 1 larger house |
Multiple At least 1 larger house |
Multiple, depending on group size. At least 1 larger house |
Multiple, depending on group size. At least 1 larger house |
Toys Type and purpose |
hide, gnaw, discover, dig, tunnels |
hide, gnaw, discover, dig, tunnels |
hide, gnaw, discover, dig, tunnels |
hide, gnaw, discover, dig, tunnels |
sandbox |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Drinks Administer via |
Bottle made of rodent-resistant material or protected by a bottle holder |
Bottle made of rodent-resistant material or protected by a bottle holder | Bottle made of rodent-resistant material or protected by a bottle holder | Bottle made of rodent-resistant material or protected by a bottle holder |
Prevention parasite, worm |
No need for preventive treatment, only with symptoms. |
No need for preventive treatment, only with symptoms. |
No need for preventive treatment, only with symptoms. |
No need for preventive treatment, only with symptoms. |
Way of life Together or alone |
Social Mongolian Gerbils should be kept at least in pairs. Always ask the breeder or the shelter for advice. |
Solitary/Alone Fat-tailed gerbils should be kept alone. |
Social Mongolian Gerbils should be kept at least in pairs. Always ask the breeder or the shelter for advice. |
Social Mongolian Gerbils should be kept at least in pairs. Always ask the breeder or the shelter for advice. |
eyes open |
16-20 days | 10-14 days | 16-20 days | 10-14 days |
Particularities | Mongolian Gerbils can develop epilepsy at a young age. Tyzzers disease can occur in Gerbils. |
The fat-tailed gerbil has a thick tail in which it stores moisture and fat. The thicker the tail, the more it has stored. The fat-tailed gerbil is calmer than the Mongolian Gerbil |