In the wild-
There are at least 80 known species of gerbil, but the most common in the pet trade is the Mongolian Gerbil: Meriones unguiculatus. This species originates from Inner Mongolia, where they construct large and complex tunnel systems beneath the sands. They are nocturnal, so expect to see them out when it begins to get dark each night. Some gerbils can shed their tail skin in a process called de-gloving, which provides safety if they get caught by a predator. In the wild they live to be 2 to 3 years and in captivity with proper care, this can increase to about 4. Gerbils are very social, living in large groups, and need company of their own kind.
What do they look like?
Gerbils are small mammals, growing to about 15cm in length including the long tail. They have long hind legs which can help them to jump 30cm (1ft) into the air, even from an standing position! Usually the gerbils available in pet shops are coloured like desert sand or grey.
In captivity-
Bringing Home a New Gerbil... As with most animals, the change of setting can be daunting and stressful, but there are things you can do to ease this. Firstly, they are incredibly social and must be kept in pairs or groups- this is not only natural but will reduce the stress of the new environment. It is best to house the two sexes separately. Keep quiet around the enclosure and ensure other pets cannot bother the Gerbils to reduce further stress. After a few days, you will be able to start interacting with your new animals more, and handling can begin.
Housing Gerbils... There are a number of options when it comes to housing your Gerbil, including: glass tanks, deep-based rodent cages and wire cages. Wire cages are the least suitable as they do not allow the rodents to burrow as they require. Purpose-made Gerbil enclosures often have a top half made from wire, with a large plastic tub beneath it to be filled with bedding and substrate. These are far more suitable for Gerbils, although better still are glass tanks: these can be bought off-the-shelf for rodents, or you could make use of an old aquarium, as long as it allows for plenty of ventilation. It is important that whatever you use to house your Gerbil, it is placed out of direct sunlight and in a draft-free area. The most ideal substrate for Gerbils is wood shavings and these allow Gerbils to dig as they would naturally, and it often holds the shape of their burrows. It is best to avoid saw dust as these fine particles can be detrimental to the animal's health, causing eye and respiratory problems.
Decoration and Enrichment for your Gerbil... Ensuring your Gerbil has the right furnishings is vital for their physical and mental wellbeing. firstly, and undoubtably most important, are the food and water bowls, which should be available at all times (more on that later). This species loves to burrow, so hides, tunnels and a deep substrate are all essential items for your enclosure. Furthermore, as Gerbils are rodents, they have continually-growing teeth, which they can keep to the correct size by chewing and gnawing on hard objects, such as wooden toys, which are placed into their enclosure. They will also enjoy shredding cardboard, which they can also then use as a bedding material. A safe wheel should also be provided for additional exercise. The final thing to include in your enclosure is a sand bath, which should be an area or bowl large enough for your Gerbil to access to clean, thus maintaining a healthy coat.
Feeding your Gerbils... Variety is always best with animal diets, and the same goes for Gerbils. Commercial feed mixes are available to buy, and can provide the bulk of the diet, although it is recommended to also include fresh foods (safe options include broccoli and cucumber), foods such as egg and occasional live food (small locusts and mealworms are enjoyed). Uneaten fresh food will need to be removed before it spoils, and live food should not be left if the enclosure with the animal. High-sugar treats available commercially should be avoided. Alongside a varied and healthy diet, it is essential to provide water, either in a bowl or bottle. In either case the water should be available at all times and replaced daily.
Cleaning... Alongside regular spot cleans, you should give your Gerbil's enclosure a full clean every month, including using a safe disinfectant on the enclosure and bowls. The animals should be moved to a secure, smaller enclosure whilst cleaning.
The 5 Welfare Needs Summary... These 5 needs are hugely important to pet care. Below is how you can provide each for your new Gerbils.
The need to be able to express normal behaviours- Given deep substrate to allow your Gerbils to dig and burrow naturally, along with other enrichment to encourage more natural behaviours
The need for a suitable diet- Provide a variety of different foods, including commercial mix, fresh foods and treats such as egg and mealworms
The need for a suitable environment- An appropriately sized tank or cage should be provided, with the correct and necessary furnishings
The need to be housed with, or apart form, other animals- House Gerbils in pairs or groups, ideally of their own sex
The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease- Carry out regular health checks on your animals (see below) and ensure they are treated by a vet if necessary. Ensure their environment is safe and does not pose a threat
Health and Vet Care... Health checks should be carried out regularly to ensure the health of your Gerbils. Be mindful that it is important not to stress your rodents out when checking health, especially in the case of Gerbils, which can drop their tail skin in a process called de-gloving when threatened. Below is an example of what a healthy individual should look like. If this is not the case with your Gerbil, seek medical assistance.
Eyes- Eyes should be bright, wide open, alert and clear. They should be free from discharge and swelling
Nose- Nose should be clear from any abnormal discharge and free from cuts, sores and scrapes
Mouth and Teeth- Teeth should be short and undamaged, check for chips, cracks and breakages. The mouth should be free from cuts, sores and scrapes
Ears- Ears should be clean, free from cuts, sores, scrapes and dry/flakey skin
Body Condition and Coat- Body should not have any abnormal lumps and blemishes, and the coat should be smooth, clear and shiny
Movement- Gerbils should be active and lively, with no signs of limping, dragging legs or avoiding placing weight on any part of the body
Tail and Anus- Tail and anus should be free from faeces and discharge, and the animal should be urinating and defecating regularly and as normal
Finally, it is recommended that you register your Gerbils with a vet. This ensures that you have professional advice and care should it be required.
Buying Gerbils-
Gerbils must be bought in pairs or groups, and most sellers will only sell you a pair. Expect to pay around £40 per pair. Due to their short lifespans, they don't come up for adoption very often, however it is worth checking just in case. Don't let old age put you off adopting any animal.
Setup shopping list-
Housing- either a deep based wire cage or glass tank
Dust-free wood shavings or organic soil
Desert sand
Sand bath
Food bowl
Water bowl
Wooden items to chew
Things to climb on
References-
My care sheets are mostly written from experience, however to make sure I give the best possible advice, I will compare with other owners views and successes. For this care sheet, I cross referenced with-
Blue Cross- (Blue Cross | We've been helping sick, injured and homeless pets in the UK since 1897.)
Thank you for reading my Gerbil care sheet and I hope you found it helpful and informative. Good luck with your new mammal! Feel free to contact me via Instagram to ask any questions!