Time to start shopping! Gerbil life expectancy is increased dramatically by good hygiene, social interaction, and suitable nutrition. Let the burrowing begin. They still have specific needs, though, and that includes daily care. It all depends on the type of species, care, and genetics. CON: Gerbils suffer from poor eyesight and you will have to be extra mindful of their safety when they are outside of their cage, playing with their gerbil toys. PRO: It’s fairly inexpensive to purchase gerbils and their pet supplies. The other pet gerbil, the fat-tailed gerbil, is a relative newcomer to the pet market and so will be a little difficult to find at the moment. Hamster and gerbils both make amazing pets, but there are some big differences between the two. Skip to content. Gerbils—Itchy and Scratchy. They are super easy to clean, take care of, and feed. Together with PetSmart Charities, we help save over 1,500 pets every day through adoption. 5 Housing Gerbils. Gerbils are about the same size as a small hamster. Gerbils are easy to look after, gentle, hardy and seldom bite, unless handled roughly. I'm a (fairly) old Welsh guy who writes about keeping small pets … The gerbil is also the pet rodent least likely to bite. Contents hide. Though the gerbil’s history is surrounded by myths as the small-clawed warrior, records reveal that it originated in Mongolia. Gerbils are tiny mammals belonging to the Gerbillinae subfamily in the order Rodentia. If they are alone, they get stressed, cold, sick, injured, or depressed. Gerbils have long, hairy tails and, as you’ll find out, are serious diggers! Male vs. Gerbils are fun animals to keep as pets, but they have a shorter life span. Gerbils as Pets. Thanks to their obsession with digging, gerbils can be fantastic fun to watch as they create new burrows and hides. They are adorable, yes, but surprisingly athletic, clean, resilient members of the rodent family. Temperament. Tenacious Furry Fierceness in the Palm of Your Hand Gerbils are interesting creatures. Pet Services Help Center Treats program Local ad Track … Join our Treats loyalty … Menu. skip navigation. Type. But if you're looking for small pets that require less interaction and are just fun to watch, a gerbil or even a chinchilla might be right for your family. Pet gerbils don’t take up a lot of space which makes them a great choice for apartment dwellers and other small spaces. Shop carefresh® Gerbils. How to Tame a Pet Gerbil The 10 Best Puppy Pads of 2020 Steps for Introducing Gerbils to Each Other What Should Your Pet Gerbil Eat? Find an adoption event near you. Gerbils are naturally friendly, curious, very sociable, athletic, active, bold and entertaining to watch. sign in Treats & Account Join our new loyalty program & earn points every time you shop! They make a great pet for older children who have mastered proper … The Mongolian gerbil is the species most commonly kept as a pet, and their natural habitat is Asia and Africa and part of India. Pet gerbil lifespan is usually between 2 and 4 years for common, Mongolian, gerbils. Gerbils. Hamsters, you see, are primarily nocturnal. Paul. Having bred dozens of them over the past few years, I have yet to suffer a single bite — even from gerbils in stressful situations. Choose from variety of small pets for sale. 9,483,072 lives saved. The situation of the cat or dog constantly attempting to get to the gerbil could prove to be incredibly stressful. 1 Appearance of Mongolian Gerbils. Most gerbils will like a basic form of affection, like being pet or held. This makes gerbils as pets a great idea for kids who might not have much experience with caring for animals. They can take a lot of handling and like to gnaw cardboard and dig … A pocket pet is a small, pocket-sized pet mammal (sometimes also categorized as a small and furry in the pet industry) commonly kept as a household pet.The most common pocket pets are rodents such as hamsters (golden hamsters and dwarf hamsters), gerbils (Mongolian jirds and duprasi gerbils), common degus, fancy mice, fancy rats, common chinchillas, and guinea pigs (cavies). In 1954 gerbils arrived in the United States to be used in research and quickly won the hearts of lab workers who began taking them home as pets. Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list . Gerbil at PetSmart. Use caution when handling gerbils, and remember they may bite or scratch, especially when stressed. Even so, it is important to bear in mind that like other rodents, gerbils … Enjoyment of Play … Gerbils are diurnal, which means they are active during the day than at night. Warm-blooded mammal in the rodent family. They will sleep throughout the day and remain awake all night. In this guide, I’ll only discuss the Mongolian gerbil as it’s the most popular kind of pet gerbil around the world. The first thing many people think of when considering a gerbil as a pet is their small size. 4 Gerbil Diet. Here is a list of some pros and cons of keeping gerbils as pets: Pros * Gerbils are very cute, looking somewhat like a hamster or ground squirrel, with big eyes and small rounded ears, and unlike rats and mice, their tails are furry. They are sometimes mistaken for mice or rats, but they actually look and behave differently. Providing your gerbil with the correct diet and taking care of their teeth will help them to live longer, happier, … There are a few costs associated with any pet ownership, too. Gift Card Track Your Order Create Account sign in; 1-888-839-9638. Frequency of Bites: Females are less trusting, so can bite more. But if you bought one for your child when they asked for the other, they may not notice. When one fails to survive and passes away, you are left with one big problem of handling the surviving partner. Some species are sometimes kept as pets but often require permits and special care. The 7 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair of 2020 Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Quick-Clumping Cat Litter Review The 7 Best Hamster Cages of 2020 The 8 Best Hands-Free Leashes of 2020 The 8 Best Dog Grooming Kits of 2020 The 8 Best Ferret Cages of … Gerbil pups ought to be handled daily and you might need to medicate or supplement feed too, which will take extra time and expense.. SHARE. There are also some costs associated with pet ownership, which you’ll need to meet throughout your pets' lives. PetSmart. They are a better choice as pets for teenagers. Never grab your gerbil by the fur or tail. The most common hamster species is the golden, or Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Hamsters vs. Gerbils as Pets. TWEET. 3.2 Social behavior. Gerbils are affectionate pets that show affection towards other gerbils and humans. There are about 90 species, but the Mongolian gerbil is the one kept as a pet. From hamsters, gerbils, mice and more, we'll help you find the perfect little friend to welcome into your home. However, other species such as the fat tailed gerbil may live longer. Gerbils make great pets, and are relatively easy to look after. A further consideration as to whether gerbils or hamsters make better pets are their lifestyles. Life and Family. Gerbils are popular as pets for a number of reasons. Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list. For many gerbils, a 20-gallon fish tanks makes a great home, or you may choose a plastic gerbil home available in most pet stores. The main determinant of whether a gerbil is a good pet is how you train it. Gerbils are great pets, but as with all animals they have needs, and they require your attention on a daily basis. Keeping Gerbils as Pets Information and Pictures. But the sex of your gerbil also makes a difference. Gerbils are also not necessarily good pets for those with cats or dogs that may bother the gerbil even if it’s in its cage. Aug 21, 2019 - Explore Fluffy Planet's board "Gerbils", followed by 2376 people on Pinterest. 3 Behavior of Gerbils. PIN. They weigh between 2 to 4 ounces and are about 4 1/2 inches long. But if you can take on board the responsibilities that come with owning an animal, you’ll find gerbils a wonderful addition to the household. Possibly the most important point here is what time each animal is likely to be active. Both male and female gerbils are good pets. The size and life span of a Gerbil. Previous post ; About the Author. Having other pets may also limit your ability to allow your gerbil out of its cage for exercise purposes which will be detrimental to their health. Gerbils are fascinating pets and will fit in well with most families. Download the FREE PetSmart mobile app today & access your digital card, book services, get special offers & manage your account. The most common gerbil species by far is the Mongolian gerbil or jird, … See more ideas about gerbil, gerbil cages, pets. As pets, Gerbils can become quite tame if handled gently from an early age, but they can also move very quickly, which means they are less suited to being kept by young children, compared with rabbits and guinea pigs, which are more content to be handled and stroked. They are inquisitive, rarely bite and are found in many colours. 5.1 Housing basics. In the wild, gerbils […] They should be given a spacious cage, but a single gerbil only needs about 12x24x12 inches of space (though more is always better). Gerbils make great pets. PET SAFETY TIPS. As social animals, 2 or 3 same-sex gerbils can make one of the best displays … You can even cuddle some gerbils, but only for a short time. If you are considering getting a Gerbil as a pet and companion, you should learn how to care for them. All animal owners have a legal responsibility to meet their animals’ welfare needs, which includes providing a suitable diet and environment, companionship, and ensuring they are kept healthy and are able to perform normal behaviours. Both are cute, can be handled, and can have adorable personalities. Thoroughly wash your hands before contact with your gerbil. Female Gerbils As Pets. 3.1 Sleeping habits. Pet stores often make a loss selling gerbils but make up their profits from selling the supplies and accessories that go with them. Both are rodents with tiny ears and big, black eyes. SHARE. Unlike hamsters, Mongolian gerbils like me — which are most commonly kept as pets — are active during the day, which typically fits in well with an older child's schedule. enable accessibility | gift card | flyer | track your order sign up, earn points, get treats PetSmart. The most common gerbil … 4—Feeding Your Gerbils Don't choose a rounded tank, though, because gerbils like to curl up in corners. Gerbils are active animals, and they do not like to be left alone. Gerbils are mammals that are native to northern China. Just as with most pets, your gerbil's home can never be too large. Gerbils are closely related to the rats and mice as they all belong to the same family – Muridae. everyone loves treats! With over a hundred different recognised gerbil varieties, the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus, is the largest and the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, is the most common gerbil breed kept as pets, they are what you will see in most pet stores.. Size: Males are slightly bigger. Shop all small pet hamsters, guinea pigs & more online. Gerbillinae subfamily consists of over 110 species including jirds and sand rats. Gerbils and hamsters are entirely different species. 2 Natural Habitat. PetSmart is The Adopt Spot. G erbils are extremely popular as pets and can be a lot of fun. sign up. Supervise children around pets. Compared to popular pets like dogs and cats, taking care of a gerbil is relatively low maintenance (and low in cost), it comes with the small size: gerbil care basics include a good cage, lots of good bedding, gerbil food, a water bottle, and an exercise wheel. Although they are growing in popularity, this scarcity means that they cost quite a bit more than their Mongolian relatives, often with asking prices upwards of twenty or thirty pounds. Diurnal, they are up during the day and sleep at night. You can show affection by petting, holding, or cuddling your gerbil. 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