Gerbils are small rodents, similar to hamsters and mice.
They are naturally found in the wild of the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
If you have gerbils at home, they require a special diet and living space that is different from what they would find out in nature.
However, if you want to watch gerbils live their natural lives then you should consider getting one or more gerbil habitats for your backyard!
Where Do Gerbils Come From?
Most species of gerbil still live as ancestors did, in the wild areas of Africa and Asia. Fat-tailed gerbils originate from different regions of the globe.
Historically, these small rodents have been found in the wild of the Middle East, Africa and Asia. They are naturally desert animals that store fat around their tail for enduring long periods of time in dry conditions.
A healthy gerbil’s, easily identified by its long, hairless tail, should also be quite heavy and thick.
It has been found that gerbils can store as much as half of their body weight in the tail alone.
Genetics and genomics
Initial GBS data indicated that there was low genetic diversity among the small population surveyed, but a more detailed analysis revealed a high level of diversity.
Though laboratory gerbils are not domesticated animals, they should be considered house pets.
Domesticated gerbils are often referred to as “true” or “humble” forms of the species.
Housing in captivity
As burrowers and tunnel-makers, gerbils require deep bedding or a deep substrate to dig.
Mongolian gerbils need plenty of cardboard items and chew toys, the cardboard will be chewed up into the bedding.
Gerbils need a small amount of fresh food; vegetables can cause diarrhoea in gerbils so they should only be given limited amounts. Gerbils should be fed a gerbil food diet and also some seeds.
To prevent mould growth, it is necessary to supply water with a drip-feed system.
Although gerbils may be at home in the desert, they require water to stay healthy.
Reasons for popularity
They are calm and not as aggressive as other small rodents like hamsters or mice, which makes them easy to handle.
Gerbils are small rodents with similarities to hamsters and mice. Adapted kidneys produce little urine, which makes them very clean.
Gerbils are also not aggressive or violent in nature.
Some gerbils may be more difficult to tame than others, but they are generally quite docile and friendly.
Gerbils are also not nocturnal, which can make them more desirable as pets for people who have other pets or children.
The gerbil’s, easily identifiable by its long hairless tail, should also be quite heavy and thick.
It has been found that gerbils can store as much as half of their body weight in the tail alone.
What eats gerbils in the wild?
Gerbils are preyed upon by several species, including gopher snakes and horned owls.
Gerbils eat plants, vegetation and bark as well as insects or other gerbils in the wild.
In captivity, gerbils will eat vegetables, plants and bark as well as insects.
A gerbil might also eat other gerbils in captivity if they are not socialized well.
How long do gerbils live in the wild?
In the wild gerbils live an average of two to three years.
Gerbil lifespan in captivity can be as long as six or seven years.
How far do gerbils travel in the wild?
Gerbils do not travel very far in the wild.
The gerbil travels only a small distance to find food, water and mates.
In captivity, gerbils are more active so they can travel a bit further.
It is not uncommon for gerbils to be placed in gerbil races, where they are encouraged to travel as far as possible.
The gerbils that run the fastest win the race and are rewarded with gerbil treats.
The gerbils that run the farthest in a gerbil race are usually awarded prizes and food.
Facts about gerbils
There are various facts to know about gerbils. For example, gerbils are small rodents with similarities to hamsters and mice.
Adapted kidneys produce little urine, which makes them very clean. Gerbils are also not aggressive or violent in nature.
Some gerbils may be more difficult to tame than others, but they are generally quite docile and friendly.
In the wild gerbils live two to three years while gerbil lifespan in captivity can be as long as six or seven years.
Gerbils are active
Gerbils chew material like wood to construct nests. They never stop chewing, so these materials help ensure their teeth stay short as well.
Gerbils are gregarious animals and are rarely found alone.
The gerbil’s, easily identifiable by its long hairless tail, should also be quite heavy and thick.
Gerbils are intelligent
Gerbils are intelligent little rodents that learn from their mothers and other family members.
Gerbils can be trained to do tricks like the ‘figure eight’ or ‘running the gauntlet.
Gerbils are sociable
In the wild, gerbils live in extended family units. These groups include one breeding pair and its offspring of several generations.
At any given time, gerbils may be caring for juveniles not yet able to breed.
Gerbils are gregarious animals that typically live in family groups which include one breeding pair plus its offspring of several generations.
Appropriate company for gerbils
Keep your gerbils happy and healthy by providing company.
Gerbils should be kept in pairs, or at least have the opportunity to interact with gerbils regularly.
If gerbils have the opportunity to interact with gerbils regularly, they will live longer.
A healthy diet for gerbils
To provide suitable food for your gerbils, provide gerbil food that is produced by a quality gerbil company.
Special gerbils with special diets:
Design your gerbils’ diet to include gerbil food that meets their special needs.
Obtain gerbil food from a gerbil company that produces gerbil food that is appropriate for gerbils with special dietary needs.
Gerbils are small rodents so a gerbil diet should consist of gerbil food that meets the needs of small rodents.
Conclusion
Gerbils are popular pets because they have a lot of personalities and can be easily trained.
But, before you adopt one as your new best friend, it is important to understand their natural habitat in the wild.
For example, do gerbils eat other animals? What eats gerbils in the wild? How far do gerbils travel in the wild?
Answering these questions will help ensure that when you adopt a pet rodent from us or any other reputable breeder, you know what to expect so there aren’t surprises for either of you!
