Gerbils
Gerbil Facts
Scientific Name Meriones unguiculatus
Life Span 2 – 4 years
Environment
Temperature Range 65F - 85F
Relative Humidity Range 30 – 50%
Breeding Range 10 –12 weeks
Estrous Cycle 4 – 6 days
Gestation Period 24 – 26 days
27 – 48 days (with lactation)
Litter Size 3 – 7 young
Weaning Age 21 days
The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is a small rodent native to the desert regions of Mongolia and northeastern China. Gerbils are burrowing, social animals which are active both during the day and night. Their burrows are composed of elaborate tunnels with multiple entrances, nesting rooms and food compartments.
The native color variety is agouti, mixed brown with dark pigmented skin, light brown to white ventrum (chest and abdomen) and darker dorsal (back) coat. Other color varieties that exist include black, white and cinnamon. Color combinations of black or brown with a white band over the chest area are also common. Gerbils have a marking scent gland, which appears as a tan colored hairless area in the middle of their abdomen.

The gerbil is a curious, friendly and nearly odorless rodent, which makes it a very popular pet. They have adapted well to captivity and tend to be relatively free of naturally occurring infectious diseases. These rodents rarely bite or fight, are easy to keep clean and care for and are relatively easy to handle. These qualities make the gerbil an ideal pet as well as laboratory rodent.

Diet
As with any pet, good quality food and clean, fresh water must be provided at all times. In the wild, these animal feed on leaves, seeds and roots. Current recommendations for feeding in captivity are pelleted rodent ration containing 20% - 22% protein. These rations are typically processed as dry blocks or pellets designed for rodents. Seed diets are also “formulated” and sold for gerbils, but these diets should only supplement the basic rodent pellet. Gerbils prefer sunflower-based diets to pellets, but these seeds are low in calcium and high in fat and cholesterol. When fed alone, seed diets often lead to obesity and potential nutritional deficiencies. Other supplements to the diet may include sugarless breakfast cereals, whole wheat breads, pasta, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables; all fed in moderation. Gerbils eat approximately 5 to 8 grams of food daily; eating both day and night.

Although gerbils in the wild require little water to drink since they derive most of their fluid from the foods they ingest, caged gerbils must be provided with a continuous source of clean water. Inadequate water consumption can lead to infertility, lower body weight and eventually death. Water is easily provided in water bottles equipped with sipper tubes. This method also helps keep the water free from contamination. Always make sure that the tubes are positioned low enough to allow the pet easy access. The average adult gerbil drinks approximately 4 to 10 ml of water daily. Although this amount is only a fraction of the total bottle volume, fresh water should be provided daily, not only when the bottle empties.

Handling
The gerbil’s natural curiosity and friendly disposition makes it fairly easy to handle. Most gerbils will approach a hand introduced into their cage and can be easily scooped into the palm of the hand or picked up by grasping the base of the tail. Be careful only to grasp the gerbil by the base of the tail, for the skin over the end of the tail is easily pulled off. Gerbils not accustomed to being handled may jump and run, but rarely turn aggressive. Once picked up, the gerbil can be restrained by one hand with the over-the-back grip. This is done by scruffing the loose skin over their neck between your thumb and index finger while the base of the tail is held between your fourth and fifth fingers. The gerbil may struggle when held on its back or manipulated, so be careful not to let it escape.
© 2004 Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital