Small Animals
Gerbil
Gerbil
The amazing Gerbil keeps life exciting! Great first pets, Gerbils are easy to care for and don't require a lot of interaction. They don't take up a lot of space either and, with proper care and gentle handling, they may become very tame and friendly. Even young Gerbils (“pups”) like to dig, or burrow, so you can play hide-n-seek.
In the wild, Gerbils are found in the deserts of Africa, Asia, and China. Their hearing is so good they can hear the beating of an owl's wings. Gerbils' feet have fur on the bottom that protects them from burning on the hot desert sand and prevents them from sinking in the sand. They love taking sand baths—they roll around in sand, and their fur gets shiny and smooth.
Gerbils eat almost anything, but they prefer grains and seeds. Avoid lettuce, watermelon, celery, citrus fruits, and sugary treats. Gerbils vary greatly in color, with over 20 different coats in the Mongolian Gerbil, the most common type of pet Gerbil, but maybe you've seen a Fat-tailed Gerbil, or duprasi, which is smaller with a long, soft coat and a short, fat tail.
Gerbils love to explore and build. So, in a Gerbil's cage, supply digging material, such as paper-based items or cardboard products such as toilet paper tubes or brown paper bags. They'll chew the paper into small bits and then they'll tunnel through it!
Are you ready to be a Gerbil owner? Click here to see if this classic pet will be your next best friend. Don't forget to visit the Kaytee Kid Zone.
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Thank you for your interest in KAYTEE. We hope birding, pet bird ownership, and small animal ownership continues to be a special part of your life.
Facts
| Order: Rodentia | Family: Cricetidae |
| Genus: Meriones | Species: unguiculatus |
| Sexual Maturity: 8 weeks+ | Life Span: 3-5 years |
| Maximum Adult Size: 15-20 cm w/tail (6-8 inches) | |
| Habitat Size L x W x H: A minimum of 46 x 25 x 25 cm (18 x 10 x 10 in) w/a tight-fitting cover and 6-8 inches of burrowing material | |