Gerbil
Gerbils are small rodents belonging to the family Muridae, with approximately 110 species classified into 15 genera. One of the most commonly kept species as pets is the Mongolian gerbil, sometimes referred to as Mongolian desert mice. Gerbils typically have light brown fur, large eyes, and long, fur-covered tails, with sizes varying significantly; the smallest species, Henley's pygmy gerbil, measures about 2.5 inches in length, while the Indian red-footed gerbil can reach up to 6 inches. These animals inhabit burrows in various environments, including deserts, plains, and rocky terrains across Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia. Primarily herbivorous, gerbils mainly consume dry seeds, fruits, and various plant materials, benefiting from the moisture of early morning dew. While they live in large communities and generally breed after the rainy season, some species can mate year-round, with a gestation period of about 24 to 26 days. Although gerbils face threats from natural predators, they are not considered endangered and are popular as household pets, typically living between three to four years, though some may reach up to eight years.
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Gerbil
There are around 110 species in 15 genera of gerbils. Some people keep Mongolian gerbils as pets. Mongolian gerbils are sometimes called Mongolian desert mice.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
There are around 110 species and 15 genera of gerbils. Most gerbils have light brown fur, large eyes, medium size ears, and long, fur-covered tails. Gerbils have whiskers that help them find their way around. They range in size from Henley's pygmy gerbil with a head and body length of just 2 1/2 inches (six centimeters) and a weight of only 1/2 an ounce (14 grams), to the Indian red-footed gerbil with a head and body length of six inches (15 centimeters) and weighing between four and 7 1/2 ounces (112 to 210 grams).
Gerbils live in burrows, or tunnel systems, in the desert, plains, and rocky areas of Africa, and in parts of the Middle East and Asia, from Saudi Arabia northwest into China. Gerbils live in large communities where plenty of food is available. They eat dry seeds after the early morning dew has fallen. This dew gives the seeds a little more moisture. They also eat fruit, leaves, stems, roots, and bulbs. They are basically herbivores, non-meat-eating animals, but some species will eat anything they find.
Gerbils are threatened by birds of prey such as eagles and owls. During the day they stay in their burrows in the ground to keep out of the hot sun and to stay safe from other predators like snakes, foxes, and mongooses.
The breeding season of the gerbil depends largely on the weather and food supplies. Gerbils generally mate after the rainy season when there is a lot of food available. However, some gerbils mate throughout the year. The gestation period (duration of pregnancy) is between 24 and 26 days. The females then give birth to a litter of four to eight young. A female young from the first litter may mate and have a litter of her own by the end of the season. Females in many species of gerbil only have one litter in their lifetime.
Gerbils are a popular household pet and are not considered a threatened species. Although some species of gerbil can live up to eight years, the average life span of a gerbil is between three and four years.
Bibliography
“Gerbil Animal Facts.” A-Z Animals, 25 Mar. 2023, a-z-animals.com/animals/gerbil. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.
“Is a Gerbil the Right Pet for You?” The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org/resources/gerbil-right-pet-you. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.