Gerbil

Share Top Five January 28, 2019

A gerbil is a small mammal of the subfamily Gerbillinae in the order Rodentia. Once known as desert rats, the gerbil subfamily includes about 110 species of African, Indian, and Asian rodents, including sand rats and jirds, all of which are adapted to arid habitats. Most are primarily active during the day, making them diurnal (but some species, including the common household pet, exhibit crepuscular behavior), and almost all are omnivorous. Gerbils are related to mice and rats; they all belong to the family Muridae,More info:wiki

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#10 What Should and Should Not Be Fed to a Pet Gerbil,More info:petponder

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These desert dwellers are native to several parts of the world. The gerbil type most commonly kept as a pet is the Mongolian Gerbil. Gerbils are available in a wide variety of colors but often have white fur on their belly. They generally grow to about four inches in body length and with a tail approximately four inches as well. Lifespan for a pet gerbil is typically 3-4 years.

Gerbils are active, clever animals and friendly by nature. When accustomed to handling and handled properly, gerbils are gentle critters and seldom bite. Gerbils are best suited for older children who have learned proper handling techniques and can assist parents with some of the regular care responsibilities. Unlike hamsters, Mongolian gerbils are mostly active during the day. Gerbils are also very social and it’s a good idea to get at least two of them. Introducing them at a young age or choosing two young littermates provides the best chance they will get along.

#8 Gerbil vs Hamster – Which Pet Is Best for Me?,More info:squeaksandnibbles

#7 Gerbil Health Care,More info:pets4homes

Gerbils are generally healthy animals overall, if you do everything you need to do to look after them it is unlikely you will ever have a sick gerbil. However, there are a number of illnesses and disease that gerbil owners should be aware of. Not just to help with noticing any problems, but with preventing and curing them effectively. If your gerbil does become ill and is not eating or drinking you should seek professional veterinarian advice.

Respiratory issues

Gerbils that are put under stressful situations are most at risk of respiratory infections. It is something that can become present in very young, or very old gerbils too. Symptoms include clicking noises while breathing, scruffy coats, and the gerbil hunching over in a corner of their cage. Gerbils are small animals and their health can deteriorate quickly if untreated.

You need to be careful what materials you use for the bedding too as some materials can cause breathing problems. Cedar and pine bedding are two of the bedding materials you should never use, they cause irritation and will lead to some breathing problems.

#6 Gerbil Names,More info:petponder

Naming your new pet gerbil is a significant step in bonding with it and so needs a lot of thoughtfulness. A gerbil is a friendly, loving mammal that belongs to the rodent family. Also known as the desert rat, a gerbil is about six to twelve inches (150 to 300 mm) long, including a long tail that makes up nearly half of its total length. It is an easy to look after, hygienic, and sociable pet that bonds well with its owner. The best way to gel well with this adorable pet is to give it a nice name that sounds good and has a meaning to it.

Gerbil names can be inspired by a multitude of sources like cartoons, television shows, and even baby name books. In most cases, people like taking names from anything to which they relate the most, like a character from their favorite book, a movie, and even a place like a restaurant or location. Though these are a few easy options that come to our minds while naming our pet, the best way is to wait for a day or so, observe its behavior, and play with it to see if it has some quirks or personality traits that you can name it after. This way, you will come up with some great names that will not only be unique but will also reflect your pet’s personality. Like, Speedy for a fast gerbil or Jumpy for a gerbil that likes to jump.

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