Do Gerbils Eat Meat? And Other Questions…

It’s National Gerbil Day! There are 100 species of gerbil worldwide, although the Mongolian gerbil is the most common pet. It’s also the species we use during some of our ZooLab sessions! We thought we’d give you a crash course in all things gerbil with some commonly asked questions!

Can gerbils live by themselves?

No, they can’t. Gerbils are very social animals and live in groups ranging from 2 – 25 animals of all ages and sexes. Groups are founded by a breeding pair and extended by their offspring and other relatives. In captivity, they do best in pairs of the same sex and should never be kept alone.

What’s the difference between a gerbil and a hamster?

Although hamsters and gerbils are both small rodents, there are a bunch of differences between the two animals. Hamsters have shorter noses, tails, and legs compared to gerbils. They are also strictly nocturnal, whereas gerbils are active during the day. Hamsters are also solitary, but gerbils thrive in social groups.

How do gerbils keep clean? 

Although these guys are fluffy, their fur can’t be cleaned the same way you would clean a cat or dog. Gerbils live in desert-like conditions, so they have evolved to clean in ways that don’t require water. In fact, water can strip important oils from their skin and should only be used in extreme emergencies where something has stuck to their skin or fur. Instead, they roll in sand, which removes any debris and leaves them with a shinier coat. It’s also good for mental stimulation!

Do gerbils eat meat?

Sort of! Gerbils are omnivorous. They eat a huge variety of seeds, grasses, vegetables, and fruits, but also insects and worms.  

Are gerbils nocturnal?

They are diurnal, meaning that they are awake during the day, like us! Although some have been known to be crepuscular, being most active around dawn and dusk. Gerbils can sleep frequently during the day, so with their homes being warm desert conditions, they build deep, dark burrows to keep cool during the hottest parts of the day.

Fun Facts

• If you wink at a gerbil, they can sometimes wink back! This is a sign of trust.

• Their teeth never stop growing, so they love gnawing to keep them short. In the wild, they can shred a whole tree branch before using the material for their nests.

• Gerbils are one of only 3 mammals that we know of with the ability to drop their tail if threatened by a predator.

• They thump their big back legs to warn others of danger!

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