Gerbils

Gerbils are small, lively pets that are always on the move. They originally come from the deserts of Mongolia and China. Gerbils are very social and should always be kept in pairs or small groups. They are friendly, curious, and rarely bite.

Digging and Burrowing

Gerbils love to dig. In the wild, they build complex underground tunnel systems. Pet gerbils enjoy deep bedding where they can dig and make burrows. They also like to shred cardboard and paper to make cozy nests. Watching gerbils build is one of the most fun parts of having them.

Gerbil Care

Gerbils need a glass tank with deep bedding for digging. They eat gerbil food mix, hay, and small amounts of fresh vegetables. Gerbils drink less water than other rodents because they come from the desert. They keep themselves very clean and hardly smell at all.

Fun Facts

• Gerbils thump their back feet to warn other gerbils of danger.
• A gerbil's tail is as long as its body.
• Gerbils can jump up to a foot in the air from a standing start.

Did You Know?

Gerbils are one of the cleanest pet rodents. They produce very little waste because their desert ancestors evolved to conserve water!