The Gerbil - Small Domesticated Rodent

The Gerbil originated in Mongolia. It was imported to the United States in the year 1954. In a wild state, the gerbil lives in colonies of tens of individuals. It digs burrows which can measure several meters length, which would resemble an underground city.

It is usually a sandy color but that can differ from one with the other. Its hearing and its sight are excellent, howeverit relies on it's sense of smell even more. The sudden noises throw it into a panic. The gerbil drinks very little, therefore it urinates very little too. It can tolerate very high temperatures like very low temperatures. In nature the life expectancy of a gerbil lasts one year approximately.

It eats seeds but sometimes also of insects and fruits. The gerbil is sexually mature at  two months of age. It gives birth to 3 or 6 young after a gestation period from 21 to 24 days. Their reproduction is thus rather fast. The breeding of the gerbil is easy, this is why scientists us them in laboratory for experimental purposes.

The gerbil belongs to the family of the rodents, it is, neither a rat, nor a mouse. Its domestication is very easy and one uses it much for the domestic breeding. The gerbil is very fast and mischievous. In captivity, it is a very low maintenance pet, owing to the fact that it drinks little and also urinates very little.

About food, the gerbil eats about anything. The pet stores have products especially designed for it. With good care it will be able to live from 3 to 4 years. As the gerbil lives naturally in company, it is better to have several than just one. The males get along well naturally but the females are rather quarrelsome.

It is necessary to take care not to put chips of cedar in the litter, would also be better not to put a pine or of fir tree. A small house also should be placed, and a sand box, they adore to be rolled inside. An exercise wheel provides great pleasure to them. Give it some toilet paper, kleenex, papertowell, etc… it will shred it and slip below to sleep.

If you let your gerbil leave the cage for the exercise and the recreation, close all the doors and be sure to place something under them because it will slip out easily. The cage of gerbil is completely out of metal because this small rodent nibbles on everything. The accessories for the cage and toys for gerbils should also be of metal.