Gerbils

Gerbils are small desert rodents with a wide geographical distribution. In the wild, they live in large family groups of around 20 animals, with 1 dominant male and female. They dig deep burrows consisting of several chambers for nesting and food storage.

They have a low water requirement, and produce scant, concentrated urine. Foot stomping is a normal communicative behaviour in gerbils and is used as an alarm call.

They make good children’s pets because:

: They are relatively long lived (average live span of 3-4 years), generally hardy and diurnal

: They are odourless and their housing does not need cleaning out as often as that of other rodents

: They are highly sociable, and are fun to watch as they create extensive burrow systems

: They rarely bite and are docile.

However, they are destructive, and may chew wires and carpets.

Life expectancy	3-4 years
Water consumption	4-7 ml/day
Sexual maturity	10-12 weeks
Duration of oestrus	4-6 days
Gestation	24-26 days (non lactating) 27-48 days (lactating)
Litter size	3-7 (average 5)
Number of litters per year	4-10 (average 7)
Weaned	2-26 days

Housing

Gerbils are highly social animals and should be kept as single sex groups (introduced before sexual maturity, ideally at 6-8 weeks of age). Adult females are more likely to fight than males, even if kept together since birth.

Gerbils should be housed in a ‘gerbilarium’ – a large glass or plastic tank (min. size 75cm long X 40cm wide X 40cm high). A wire mesh or a plastic tight fitting lid with ventilation holes should be fitted. Wire cages are not suitable.

Deep substrate (15cm) should be used, such as sawdust or wood shavings. Do not use sand as it leads to abrasions during burrowing, but provide a sand bath separately to maintain the coat.

Nesting material should be provided (shredded paper, toilet tissue). Wood and cardboard should be provided for chewing. Ceramic flower pots and old mugs provide good areas to hide in. New items should be added weekly.

Gerbils create their own system of tunnels, which change constantly. As they produce scant urine, you only need to change the substrate every 4-6 weeks to prevent ammonia build-up.

Diet

Wild gerbils feed on coarse grasses, roots, seeds and occasionally invertebrates. In captivity, they may be fed a commercial rodent diet with added fresh fruit and vegetables such as apple, lettuce and carrot. Hay may also be provided. Sunflower seeds are high in cholesterol and low in amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and as such, should only be given as an occasional treat.

Gerbils eat over a 24 hour period and are coprophagic.

Water should be changed daily, and provided via a bottle.

Obesity is common in gerbils fed a large quantity of sunflower seeds.

In handling, they should never be picked up by the tail, as this may lead to the skin being stripped away.

Breeding

Gerbils form monogamous pairs in captivity and share parental responsibilities. The female is polyoestrus and cycles throughout the year.

The pups open their eyes at 16-17 days.

Cannibalization or litter abandonment occurs only rarely, and may be secondary to small litter size, excessive handling, mastitis, lack of milk or lack of nesting area.