Gerbil

Care

General Facts:

Life span is 3-5 years, with females generally living longer than males. An adult male weighs 65-100 grams; an adult female weighs 55-85 grams. Normal body temperature is 100-101.5 F, with a respiration rate of 90-140 per minute.

Behavior:

Gerbils are friendly and rarely bite. Most gerbils are diurnal (daytime) in activity, although some are nocturnal (nighttime). They are diggers and burrowers and emit a faint “cheep” when vocalizing.

Adults placed in a cage together for the first time will fight, often until death. Females may be more aggressive fighters than males. Large groups established before puberty will often live together comfortably if they are not overcrowded. 2 to 3 adult gerbils of the same sex may occasionally be put in the same cage, but this is probably the maximum that can be safely housed together.

Gerbils are territorial; both genders produce a yellow-brown musty-smelling secretion (scent marking) from a gland located on the stomach near the umbilicus. They also mark territory with urine and feces.

20% of gerbils exhibit brief (a few seconds to a minute) epileptic-looking seizures following handling or other stressful experiences. No treatment is necessary. Foot drumming is their general communication/alerting/excitement action.

Handling:

Gerbils jump and wiggle, so they are best supported on the palm of your hand and restrained by holding the base of the tail to prevent their leaping away. Do not pick up a gerbil by the end of the tail, as the skin may slip off. Extra restraint can be used by holding the scruff over the shoulder and neck area or by restraining in a small cloth.

Another method of gerbil pickup and restraint is to place the palm of your hand over the animal’s back and gently, but firmly, grasp the gerbil’s head between your index and third finger. The thumb should curl under the animal, supporting its stomach.

proper way to pick up a gerbil

Diet:

Commercial rodent pellets with 18-22% protein are recommended. Because gerbils selectively eat only sunflower seeds, seed-based feed mixes do not provide adequate nutrition. Fractures, growth and/or bone development problems may result from a seed-based diet. Please do not feed these. Small amounts of suitable vegetables may be given as a treat. Never feed gerbils from your hand; it can encourage biting.

Housing:

Use wire and steel, aluminum or plastic enclosures. An aquarium with secure, wire-mesh lid can be used, but moisture, urine and feces buildup will be more of a problem.

Suitable bedding should be hardwood shavings (no cedar) or recycled composite bedding to a depth of at least 3 inches. Shredded paper products or other clean, dry, absorbent and nonabrasive materials can also be used. Avoid sand, corncob or cat litter as bedding; gerbils like to dig and these materials can cause abrasions to the face. Avoid artificial fiber bedding material sold for birds and hamsters – small fibers may wrap around the animal’s legs and GI (gastro-intestinal or stomach) impaction may occur if it is eaten.

Like all rodents, gerbils have sharp, continuously growing teeth. Provide a cardboard roll or box for hiding, safety exercise wheel and a small, natural tree branch or other untreated wood for chewing.

Ideal temperature for gerbils is 60-70 F with maximum relative humidity at 30-50%. Lighting should be 12 hours on, 12 hours off.

Preventive Care:

Good husbandry and sanitation is essential. Choose bedding that will not cause nose ulceration when the gerbil burrows. Offer a good quality food.

Medical:

The most common medical problems seen in gerbils are: trauma from being dropped or stepped on, rough hair coat, sore nose, seizures, diarrhea, GI problems and malocclusion (misalignment of the jaw).