 |
Learn About Gerbils As Pets
Gerbil Food, Gerbil Cages For Sale
|
Pet Gerbils belong to the same family where rats, mice and hamsters are categorized. Like
their distant cousins, gerbils are quite small and have large front incisors used mainly for gnawing.
There are many species of gerbils but the most popular among pet owners is the Mongolian
gerbil.
How to distinguish pet gerbils from the rest of the pet rodent family?
It is a common case for the untrained eye to identify a gerbil as a rat or a mouse. This is
because of the close resemblance in the shape of the head and the general features of the body. However, the most
prominent feature that distinguishes a gerbil from other rodent species is their hairy tail that often has a tuft
of hairs at the tip.
Gerbil care
Gerbils are very curious creatures, both in the wild and in captivity. It is therefore very important that their
living environment is interesting enough to keep them occupied. They normally prefer a semi-dry to dry environment
but they could also live well with lower temperatures. They are most uncomfortable with minus 7 degree Celsius and
30 degrees Celsius.
Gerbil cage
Cages for gerbils should have space enough to fill their curiosity. But be sure to secure all the locks of the cage
since gerbils are great at escaping. Also, it should be at least a foot high and a foot wide. Wider and bigger
cages are welcome. These animals love to burrow so secure their cages with sufficient quantities of wood
shavings
Proper handling
Mice and rats can be handled by their tails but not gerbils. They must be picked up at the base of their
tail, near their rear end while gently sliding your hand in a cupping position. These are very social animals and
as such, they enjoy regular handling.
Gerbil Toys
Gerbil toys do not necessarily have to be sophisticated. Toys could be pieces of good wood, cardboard or paper
towel tubes. These would definitely keep them amused. Try to introduce newer toys once in a while to keep
satisfying their investigative nature.
Diseases/Sickness
These creatures do not normally get sick in their natural
habitat but things could be a bit different in captivity. General signs of sickness include sluggishness, sores and
injuries on the skin, significant loss of hair or coat and inactivity.
Lifespan
Even while gerbils are small, they can live for as long as 4 years with good care. Most of them average 2-3
years.
Over all, care for pet gerbils is straightforward. They do not require much and do not demand
special care. In fact, the largest investment you would need to make is the money you spend on their cage.
| 
