Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) are popular pets due to their friendly temperament and ease of care. They are sociable, inquisitive animals and are easy to feed and keep clean. They are also small and easy to handle. Mongolian gerbils don’t grow larger than 5 to 6 inches (not including their tail).
Are gerbils cute?
GERBILS MAY BE FURRY AND CUTE, BUT THEY BELONG IN ASIA OR AFRICA. … The clawed jird, or Mongolian gerbil, is the best known of these lively little animals, which make excellent pets because they can so easily be flushed down the toilet when you get sick of them.
Are gerbils fun?
They’re superbly social Socialising, digging, hoarding and playing is much more fun as a duo, trio or gang. In the wild, gerbils build up their colony numbers by sticking together for many generations of offspring.
Can gerbils be cuddly?
Gerbils are affectionate pets that show affection towards other gerbils and humans. You can show affection by petting, holding, or cuddling your gerbil. Most gerbils will like a basic form of affection, like being pet or held. You can even cuddle some gerbils, but only for a short time.
What is the most cuddly rodent?
The most cuddly rodent pet is the rat. Rats can develop strong bonds with their owners, and they enjoy being stroked and held. Gerbils are also sociable, but they rarely sit still for cuddles.
What is the easiest rodent to take care of?
Mice Like hamsters, mice are better left watched rather than handled. They are very timid, often shying away from human interaction and are very quick and skittish, allowing them to easily escape when held. Mice are one of the easiest pets to own because they have minimal space needs and do not require attention.
What is a black gerbil?
Black gerbils belong to the Mongolian gerbil species, Meriones unguiculatus, which means little clawed warrior. As a result of selective breeding for the pet industry, Mongolian gerbils sport a varied palette of coat colors, including black, brown, silver, lilac, dove, white and the common golden agouti color.
Why gerbils are bad pets?
Unlike hamsters, gerbils are very sociable creatures and a solitary life can be bad for them. Studies have shown that gerbils live longer and healthier lives when they live with others of their kind, while solitary gerbils tend to be unhealthy, overweight, and have shorter lifespans.
Can gerbils learn their name?
Gerbils are active and intelligent pets, these being just two of the reasons for which they are one of the most popular types of rodents chosen as companions by many families. Their curious and energetic nature makes them capable of learning a lot of tricks, even recognizing their names in certain cases.
Do gerbils like to swim?
Gerbils dislike swimming. They won’t play games in water like other animals, although they can swim in an emergency. There aren’t many streams and lakes in the gerbil’s natural habitat, so they aren’t good swimmers. They use the doggy paddle to swim, and they’ll do anything they can to get out of the water.
Do gerbils like hamster balls?
Gerbils benefit from exercise balls the same way hamsters do. Just like hamsters, too, gerbils may or may not enjoy the experience. As a responsible owner, you need to choose a ball that ensures your gerbil stays safe and feels secure. Even then, your pet may not enjoy being inside an exercise ball.
Do gerbils need a wheel?
Exercise wheels are advertised as a must-have item for gerbils/rodents. … But despite seeming so pointless, gerbils do need running wheels. Or, gerbils need exercise, and wheels are perhaps the best way to ensure they get it. Being stuck in a small enclosure, gerbils can’t run around like they would in the wild.
Are gerbils color blind?
Gerbils can see in color but are likely red-green colorblind and can see UV light like other rodents. Gerbils have poor depth perception but a wide field of vision, so they can see threats or predators coming.
Are female gerbils more aggressive?
Females can be more aggressive with other gerbils than males. In any gerbil group, there is a dominant pair of a male and female. … While the males can box and fight, the females can be even worse.
Can I pet my gerbil?
Gerbils might not seem like the type of animal that needs to be tamed, but it really just refers to training the gerbil to come to you without being afraid. … When that happens, you can pick up and play with your gerbil without any fearon your part or the gerbil’s.
What is the best small pet for a 12 year old?
According to the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 survey, the top eight small pets are rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice/rats, gerbils, chinchillas and ferrets. Here’s a quick review of each species’ child-friendly pet potential.
What is the cleanest pet rodent?
gerbils Guinea pigs and chinchillas are gentle sweet pets, but they have special dietary needs and all of their teeth continuously grow. If handled gently, gerbils are unlikely to bite, explains Hoppes. They have few health problems and are the cleanest of all the commonly kept pet rodents.
What is the least stinky rodent?
The least stinky rodent pet is a gerbil or chinchilla. They are desert creatures, so they rarely drink and urinate. Their poops are dry and odorless. Provided that you remove waste when you see it, the cage shouldn’t smell too bad.
Are rats good pets for 12 year olds?
Are rats good pets for kids? Yes. … Rats have many of the disadvantages of other pet rodents: they’re nocturnal, their cages need a lot of maintenance, they don’t live a long time (1-3 years). But unlike other rodents, they’re fantastically friendly and smart if they grow up being lovingly handled by human companions.
What is the friendliest small pet?
8 Small Pets That Are Soft, Affectionate, and Perfect For…
- Hamsters. Hamsters are naturally playful, but they’re also extremely affectionate and love attention. …
- Ferrets. …
- Guinea Pigs. …
- Lovebirds. …
- Hedgehogs. …
- Sugar Gliders. …
- Chinchillas. …
- Rabbits.
What is the smartest rodent pet?
rats Perhaps the smartest rodents, rats can learn tricks, love to hang out with their owners, and are extremely affectionate. They actually respond to their owners when their name is called.
Do gerbils go GREY?
The most common gerbil color is the golden agouti, but you can also find white, blue, lilac, and gray. … These different colors are the result of genetic changes and are created through selective breeding. The color and pattern of your gerbil’s fur make it unique and distinctive, which is half the fun of having a pet.
What is the rarest gerbil color?
Argente Golden Gerbil It is followed by Argente Fawn, the most common of the three, and Argente Cream, the rarest and lightest in the shade.
Are albino gerbils rare?
True albinism has been seen in gerbils, but it is rare. It was first documented in a laboratory setting in 1989, according to Experimental Animals. But the gerbils in that study were confined to the laboratory and not bred as pets. Since then, albino gerbils have still not been introduced to the pet trade.
Should I get 1 or 2 gerbils?
Otherwise, it is always advisable to get a pair of gerbils, either two males or two females. … It’s true that they can live in larger groups, but unless you have a very big space to keep them in, they’re going to be a bit crowded. In general, it’s best to keep between two and four gerbils.
Can you buy 1 gerbil?
Gerbils are very sociable pets that are usually kept in pairs. If you’d prefer to keep a single gerbil, you will need to interact with the gerbil regularly to fulfill its social needs. … With the right attention and care, your single gerbil can live a long, happy life.
What is it like owning a gerbil?
Gerbil Behavior and Temperament As pets, they are very curious and will explore anything so they can be quite entertaining to watch. Gerbils live in colonies in the wild so they are very social animals; they do not do well as a solitary pet. Keeping a same-sex pair is necessary; litter-mates usually do well together.
How old is the oldest gerbil?
8 years and 4 months The oldest gerbil was a Mongolian gerbil named Sahara, she was born in May 1973 and died on 4 October 1981 aged 8 years and 4 months.
Why does my gerbil stare at me?
A gerbil will stare at you when they’re unsure if you’re a friend or a threat to them. Gerbils will also stare at you when they associate you with something like being fed or playing. It’s normal behavior when they look at you for short periods of time though.
Why does my gerbil pee on my hand?
Is this a new gerbil? Often pooping and peeing on your hand is s a sign of fear, so if she’s not used to you yet or you don’t hold her often, this is probably the cause. Just keep working on handling her and getting her used to you, and she’ll eventually calm down.
