An introduction to gerbils

General Info on Gerbils-  an introduction to gerbils


So what is a gerbil anyway?  If you're a gerbil owner,  you may be surprised how many people don't even know what a gerbil is!  
Gerbils are small desert animals.  People use to call wild gerbils "desert rats". The name "gerbil" is actually form of the word "jerboa",  but gerbils and jerboas are not really related.
The most popular pet gerbil is a Mongolian gerbil.  However there are various other species.  One is the "great gerbil",  and can grow to 16 inches long!  Pet gerbils,  however,  are generally around 6 inches long.

Gerbils have relatively short fur,  that comes in many colors.  Wild gerbils really only come in the agouti coloring,  but as pets they have been bred to be black,  tan,  white,  grey,  brown,  and in various shades.
A gerbil's eyes are almond shaped,  and can be red or black.  They also usually have a small tuft of fur on the tip of their tails.
Gerbils have very strong hindlegs,  and can jump quite high.  In the wild,  they make extensive burrow networks underground.  Even in their cages,  if provided enough bedding,  they will probably tunnel.
Gerbils are social animals,  and should be kept in pairs or groups of three or four.  They can,  however,  "declan",  which is where a group of gerbils no longer gets along and starts fighting.  This is relatively rare.
Gerbils do not do well alone.
 

Gerbils can,  obviously,  develop multiple illness and ailments.  However,  they are in general quite healthy.
Like other rodents,  gerbils' teeth are continuously growing.
Something many people do not know is that a gerbil's tail can come off if grabbed.  This is a defense mechanism that helps them escape from predators.  So,  never grab your gerbils' tails!  The skin will slide off,  and the bone will eventually dry up and fall off too.

 There are multiple things that make gerbils great pets.  They are small and easy to house/care for.  They are friendly,  and rarely aggressive.  And,  unlike many rodents,  gerbils are primarily diurnal.  Gerbils also smell less than other rodents,  since their desert origins result in them drinking small amounts of water and therefore producing less waste.
These are just a few reasons that people have come to love gerbils.