Here’s a quick
rundown of the pros and cons of keeping gerbils as pets:
Pros:
1.
Low maintenance – Gerbils are relatively easy to care for compared
to other pets.
2.
Clean animals – They don’t smell as much as hamsters or mice, and
they groom themselves frequently.
3.
Fun to watch – Very active, curious, and entertaining with their
tunneling and digging behaviors.
4.
Small space
requirement – A
well-set-up tank doesn’t take up much room.
5.
Social (in
pairs/groups) – Unlike
hamsters, gerbils usually enjoy companionship if introduced properly.
6.
Longer lifespan
than hamsters – Typically
live 3–5 years, so a bit more commitment but still manageable.
7.
Great for kids – Generally gentle and less likely to bite if
handled properly.
Cons:
1.
Need more than one – Gerbils are social, so it’s best to have at least
two (same sex), which means a bit more cost and space.
2.
Can be escape
artists – They’re fast and can slip
through small gaps, so secure housing is a must.
3.
Not ideal for very
young kids – They’re
delicate and fast, which can make handling tricky.
4.
Burrowers = messy
habitat – They kick bedding everywhere
and chew constantly.
5.
Nocturnal/crepuscular – They’re more active at dawn and dusk, which may
not match your schedule.
6.
Vet care can be
tricky – Not all vets handle small
rodents, and treatments can be costly.
Gerbil Care for Beginners
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The scientific name of the gerbils we will deal with in this book is "Meriones unguiculatus" and goes back to the French animal and naturalist Alphonse Milne-Edwards (1835-1900). Gerbils belong to the family of long-tailed mice (Muridae) and within this family to the subfamily Gerbillinae. The scientific term "Gerbillinae" already indicates the origin of the English name "Gerbil".
Gerbils have their home mainly in Mongolia - that's where the frequent name Mongolian gerbil comes from. From this it can already be seen that this animal lives in deserts, but it also inhabits steppes, dry grasslands and semi-deserts.
The gerbil's activities are not bound to a specific time, and they do not hibernate - this makes them perfect pets for adults and children, as long as it is ensured that these social animals are allowed to live with friends of the same species.
What else is there to consider? What living conditions need to be created for gerbils to do well? What are the requirements for the enclosure? What kind of food do gerbils need? What diseases can they get? All open questions are answered in this book!
1. Systematics and Classification
2. Anatomy and Physiology
3. Getting the Gerbils
4. The Enclosure
5. Diet and Nutrition
6. Typical Behavior
7. Dangers and Diseases
8. Frequently Asked Questions
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