The Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is a small rodent, approximately 6-8 inches in length. They weigh approximately 2-4 ounces, with males generally showing more bulk. Similar to other rodents, they have continually growing incisors. The hind limbs are adapted to leaping and the feet pads are adapted to hot sand. In agouti gerbils (and other white bellied varieties) the light undertone of their belly reflects light to avoid heat exhaustion. They are able to stand erect on their hind limbs, balancing with their furred tail. The front limbs can be used for motility, burrowing, or manipulation of food. The detachable tuft on the end of the tail helps avoid being caught by predators. The specialized gland on their abdomen is the scent gland, used by gerbils to mark territory.
Gerbil Origins
Gerbils originate in the deserts of Mongolia. They live in intricate social burrows and are diurnal (awake at dawn and dusk). The gerbil will require a diet consisting of mostly seeds. In the wild they eat things naturally such as hemp, oats, grass seeds, beetles, roots, and occasionally fruits.
Choosing a Gerbil
What to Look For
The gerbil should be free of parasites and infectious diseases. The eyes are to be clear, bright, and almond shaped. The ears are to be upright and alert. The whiskers should be long and straight. The tail is to be straight with a well shaped and large tuft. The body is to be firm, not obese or anorexic. Bones should not be felt easily, and the animal should feel solid. The teeth should be a proper length and yellow in color; not broken, overgrown, or missing. The nose should be clear of discharge and mostly dry. The breathing should be clear of any noises such as clicking or labored respiration. See the "How To: Locating and Selecting a Gerbil" for more information.
Where to Locate
A good quality breeder is the key to properly socialized and healthy gerbils. To locate a breeder nearest you, visit the American Gerbil Society's breeder directory, here.
Diet and Feeding
Nutritional Requirements
There are many brands available commercially. To keep your gerbil properly fed, there are a few guidelines it is wise to follow. For non breeding gerbils, 12% protein and 7% fat is recommended. For elderly gerbils (over 2 years) 10.5% protein and 4% fat is recommended. Gerbils that are breeders should receive 16% protein and around 8% fat. Look for a food that is lower in sunflower seeds and corn, since these are both fillers which can lead to obesity and other health-related issues. Give about 2 teaspoons per gerbil, per day. Gerbils aren't too likely to overeat and overfeeding slightly will not cause any reason for concern.
Custom Diet
For my gerbils, I have formulated my own custom mix. See "How To: Creating Your Own Custom Diet" for recipe and photos. This diet can be modified to better suit your gerbils' needs depending on age, weight, and overall health.
Safe Treats
Blueberries, Strawberries, Banana, Apple (no seeds), Lettuce (no head/iceburg), Carrots, Grapes, Broccoli, Mealworms (not wild caught), Crickets (not wild caught), Kashi puffed rice cereals, Puffed millet, More Info Coming Soon
Foods to Avoid
Anything that may have come in contact with pesticides, Wild caught insects, More Info Coming Soon
Housing
Cages
There are many commercial cages on the market, you can choose from wire cages, such as habi-trail, critter-trail, or the basic wire cage. Homemade cages can be made from a plastic storage tub. The preferred housing for gerbils is the aquarium or terrarium and can be constructed from acrylic or glass. See "How To: Choosing Suitable Housing" to decide what works best for you and your gerbils.
Bedding Comparison
There are many beddings available on the market, but not all of them are suitable. The most common brands are Carefresh, Carefresh Ultra, Pine, Kiln-Dried Pine, Cedar, Chlorophyll Pine, White Shavings, Aspen, Yesterday's News, Corncob, and other paper-based brands as well. Not all of these are suitable for gerbils. Pine, Kiln-Dried Pine, Cedar, and Chlorophyll Pine, are high in oils that can cause respiratory distress and permanent organ damage. White shavings' side effects aren't widely known, but are made from a type of pine so it is not recommended. The safest wood shaving is aspen. I prefer and recommend aspen shavings. Aspen is cheaper than paper based and works best at odor control. Carefresh and Carefresh Ultra (similiar products such as Pet's Preference Soft, and the Walmart brand) can be suitable for gerbils. More often, gerbils are beginning to develop allergies to Carefresh and Carefresh Ultra due to it's high dust content. The paper based Carefresh are also very lacking in odor control. Yesterdays News is a pelleted recycled newspaper bedding. It works wonderfully on odor but to some it may seem too rough, especially if used for a breeding set-up. What is advised when using Yesterday's News (remember to get unscented) is to put a layer of it underneath a softer bedding such as aspen. Corncob works wonderfully on odors but can be rough and slightly dusty. For a soft nesting spot, be sure to give toilet paper or shredded paper towels and cardboard. Commercial "fluff" is deadly and can cause strangulation and amputation of limbs or become entangled in the digestive tract.
Toys and Accessories
One of the most common "toys" is the treadmill, or exercise wheel. In order for your gerbil to fully enjoy their wheel, some safety issues must be first taken into consideration. The wheel must be large enough to prevent spinal injury. An 8 inch diameter wheel is advised. The wheel should have either a mesh or solid running surface to prevent leg and tail injuries. There should be enough space between the spokes and the wheel so that no limbs are trapped and injured. If using a plastic wheel, check for chew damage regularly. A metal wheel is advised due to the higher chewing instinct in the gerbil. If the wheel begins to squeak, apply a drop or two of olive or baby oil to the spokes to lubricate. Other toys can be tubes, houses, wooden blocks (untreated), but a favorite toy is the cardboard tube or toilet paper roll. See "How To: Creating a Stimulating Environment" for more ideas.
Taming and Handling
Gaining Trust
To gain a gerbil's trust, remain patient and calm at all times. If you have bought the gerbil from a reputable breeder or source, most of the taming should already be done for you. Gerbils are fairly quick learners and will soon begin to look forward to your attention. To gain their trust, first, let them sniff you. If the gerbil should nip, taste, or bite, do not lash out in physical means. A quick puff of air to the gerbil's face and a loud but firm "NO" are sufficient to deter this behavior. Remember to not chase the gerbil, as this only lengthens the process. If you place a treat, such as sunflower seeds removed from the mix in the palm of your hand, they will learn eagerly to hop into the hand to receive the treat. Once they begin to calmly eat in your hand, you can lift them out of the cage. At first, they may seem jumpy, or just generally curious and wanting to explore. Until you know your gerbils better, it is advised to handle them in a contained room and over a soft object such as one's lap or a pillow, in case the gerbil should jump or fall. Continue to hold them, calmly speak to them, and spoil them with lots of special treats so that they soon learn handling is enjoyable and rewarding. Soon you will have your gerbils begging to be held! For photos and more tips, visit "How To: Gaining Your Gerbil's Trust".
Rules to Follow
Do not chase the gerbils, this only frightens them and lengthens the process, plus they may bite or scratch in defense. Do not pick up by the tail, the tuft is capable of painfully detaching. Although not a life-threatening issue, it is considerably painful and stressful to the gerbil.
