Size: Gerbils weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 oz. The males are slightly heavier than the females.
Compatibility: Gerbils should be kept in groups as they are highly social animals. They are prolific reproducers and should be kept in groups of the same sex unless you want LOTS of babies.
Appeal: Gerbils are lively, friendly, and relatively clean and odor-free. They are low maintenance and inexpensive to keep. They make better pets than cats and dogs for people with allergies. They are active during the day and evening and rarely bite.
Drawbacks: They are not as keen as some rodents are about being handled and can be hard to catch. They are delicate and can be seriously injured if not handled properly. If not properly housed they can scatter bedding and make a mess. They are also escape artists and will try to chew or gnaw their way out of enclosures.
Diet: Gerbils should be fed a seed mix or pellets that are designed for gerbils. They should not be fed oily seeds like sunflower seeds in large quantities.
Problems & Health Issues: Gerbils are susceptible to epileptic seizures. If given an improper diet, they can suffer from digestive upsets. The tips of their tails are fragile and easily damaged.
Lifespan: Healthy Gerbils can live an average of 4-5 years.
Interesting Facts: Gerbils are prolific breeders and can produce three litters a year of up to 12 young.
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services.
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Hey,
I was thinking about geting one and i was thinking do they bite?
Are they very actice at night?
Did you take that picture from petsmart ? Because I think tha'ts my gerbil. It was in the same cage and looks the same.
Hey, do gerbils have to have a certain temperature to live in and are they nocturnal?
Ok, gerbils can have a lot more than 3 litters a year. They mate as soon as they give birth to a litter if the dad is left in the cage. So a mom could be having a litter ever 4 weeks to 6 weeks.
First off guys, gerbils are somewhat nocturnal. My two like to make scraping sounds with their claws if you put anything like cardboard in their cage. If you handle your gerbil regularly, or at least get them used to you, they will not bite you at all. Mine have not bitten me ever since I got them two years ago. You do NOT want the gerbils loose in your room. They are very small and make a quick getaway. They can slip right under the door and even be gone from your house if left alone. They are most certainly caged animals, and if properly treated and let out with a fencing type thing occasionally, then your gerbil should be perfectly happy living in a cage.
~Amanda
No, they don't smell. They don't keep you awake at night, apart from the first night because they need to settle in. They are lovely, I keep mine in my room, and they don't smell, apart from when they need cleaning out, which is like once a week.
Thanks for the info.
I'm thinking about getting a gerbil cause my mom says no guinea pigs. Should I get aquarium or wire cage. I know they have to be able to see through so please post some helpful words.
I have a gerbil and his name is Jerry. I play with him and he goes around in a ball. He stays awake at night but I have gotten used to him. He likes apple, carrots and toilet roll holders.
I got 2 gerbils 3 days ago. I was wondering when the start sitting on your shoulder and won't run away from you?
I was wondering can you breed gerbils and sell them to a pet store? I'm about to get two of them, but what combinations work best, 2 females, 2 males or a group? Please type info soon.
I'm thinking about getting a gerbil, anything I should know before I do?
My gerbil is a sweety.her sister died at age 5 months because my brother killed her.but chewy has lived almost a year without her sis i think its a miracle heres a cute pic of her.
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