Gerbil

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iGerbil
Fossil range: Late Miocene - Recent

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Superfamily: Muroidea
Family: Muridae
Subfamily: Gerbillinae
Gray, 1825
Genera

Gerbillus
Microdillus
Meriones
Rhombomys
Psammomys
Sekeetamys
Brachiones
Desmodilliscus
Pachyuromys
Tatera
Taterillus
Desmodillus
Gerbillurus
Ammodillus

A gerbil is a small mammal of the order Rodentia.

Once known simply 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 diurnal (though some do exhibit crepuscular behavior), and almost all are omnivorous.

The word "gerbil" is a diminutive form of "jerboa", though the jerboas are an unrelated group of rodents occupying a similar ecological niche.

One Mongolian species, Meriones unguiculatus, also known as the Clawed Jird, is a gentle and hardy animal that has become a popular pet. It was first brought to the United States in 1954 by Dr. Victor Schwentker for use in research.

Gerbils are typically between six and twelve inches (150 to 300 mm) long, including the tail which makes up approximately one half of their total length. One species, however, the Great Gerbil, or Rhombomys opimus, originally native to Turkmenistan, can grow to more than 16 inches (400 mm) in length. The average adult gerbil weighs approximately 2 1/2 ounces. As of August 19, 2003, officials in western China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region began releasing eagles to combat the damage they say the great gerbils have done to eleven million acres (46,000 km²) of grassland.[1]

Pet gerbils have an average lifespan of 2 to 4 years.

Contents

[edit] Subfamily Gerbillinae

The subfamily Gerbillinae is in the family Muridae along with the mice, rats, and their relatives. This family belongs to the superfamily Muroidea, which also includes hamsters and voles. Subfamily Gerbilinae consists of the following 14 genera, 9 subgenera and 110 species:

[edit] Trivia

  • When a gerbil is suddenly surprised, startled or excited, it may begin thumping his back feet rhythmically ; this habit is to warn others of impending danger, even if there aren't others around. It is also widely used when two gerbils mate.
  • Pet gerbils are illegal in the US states of California and Hawaii. [citation needed]
  • They love sunflower seeds. If their diet is not monitored they can become overweight because the seeds have a high fat content.
  • Gerbils will usually have 4 toes on each of its front feet and 5 toes on each of its back feet. The reason it has more toes on the back feet is to allow the gerbil better balance when it is standing on its hind legs.
  • The oldest recorded gerbil, Sahara lived to eight years and four months, belonging to Aaron Milstone from Michigan, USA. Sahara died in October 1981.
  • The largest recorded number of gerbil pups in a pet litter was fourteen in Bulwell, Notts, in May 1983.
  • When a gerbil is overheated it may lie on its back revealing a white belly. In the wild they will do this because the exposure of only a white part of their bodies will reflect the sunlight and keep them cool.

[edit] Gerbils as Pets

In 1964 gerbils were first introduced to the pet industry. These were the Mongolian gerbils. Their value as pets was soon appreciated and they are now found in pet shops all over the UK and USA.

Reasons for Popularity

  • They are non-aggressive and rarely bite unprovoked or without stress.
  • They are mainly diurnal as opposed to the more commonly nocturnal rodent pets.
  • Their kidneys have adapted to produce a minimum of waste to conserve body fluids which makes them very clean with little odor.
  • They are incredibly industrious and will build, construct, and enjoy elaborate networks of tunnels if given an environment that allows for it. Since they are diurnal, this activity is easily observed.
  • They are sociable creatures that enjoy the company of humans and other gerbils. For this reason gerbils should be kept and raised in the company of other gerbils as solitary life can induce unnecessary stress.
  • They are alert and will explore new environments.
  • They can turn everyday paper-based items such as cardboard products and brown paper bags into toys and nesting material.

[edit] Pet Gerbil Care

Gerbils should preferably be kept in pairs or small same-sex groups, as they are very social. Gerbils are mildly territorial, so two gerbils being introduced to the same cage should be separated by screening such as a wooden frame containing chicken wire for a few days or weeks until they adjust to one another. Be sure not to expose any sharp edges of chicken wire. If the space is not large enough, gerbils may continue to fight even after an introduction period.

Though gerbils can live in any type of enclosure, glass aquariums require the least amount of cleaning and make it more difficult for them to escape, as well as providing an unimpeded view of the pets. Gerbils are capable of squeezing through surprisingly small openings, so cages made for birds and other larger creatures are often not suitable. Gerbils can gnaw through most plastics, so plastic containers made for hamsters (such as the Habitrail brand) do not make good homes. Enclosures must have tightly secured tops or ceilings to prevent escape; gerbils are very good at jumping, and will intentionally knock lids off by repeatedly jumping into them.

Bedding, typically made of recycled paper pulp or aspen shavings is necessary, for catching waste and providing nesting material. It also protects the gerbils' feet; wire bottomed enclosures like those used for birds and hamsters can injure gerbils. The oils in cedar and pine shavings can cause severe respiratory distress in gerbils, so aspen is typically recommended by gerbil owners.

Water must be provided at all times, usually via a water bottle with a metal spout and ball-bearing valve. These are commonly available at pet stores.

As pets they are typically fed a mixture of grains, nuts and sunflower seeds.

Gerbils' teeth continually grow, so they must be provided with materials to gnaw on to prevent the teeth from becoming uncomfortably long; in extreme cases, the teeth can prevent the mouth from closing, causing starvation. While normally gerbils do not bite humans, gerbils with overly long teeth can be desperate to find something to chew on. Cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towel rolls are entertaining and inexpensive toys for gerbils, as well as providing good gnawing material. Wood can also be used, as long as it does not splinter too much. Plastic toys made for hamsters and other small pets will be quickly destroyed. Transparent plastic balls made for rolling around inside of can be used with some supervision.

A privacy home (something they can hide under) and a hamster wheel are recommended accessories by many gerbil owners. Wood is a recommended privacy home material because they can easily gnaw through plastic.

Like many rodents, gerbils reproduce rapidly, and keeping mixed-sex groups can result in a large number of gerbils being produced very quickly compared to larger, more common household pets such as cats, dogs, and birds. Baby gerbils, like other rodents, are born blind, hairless, and mostly helpless. Under population stress, baby gerbils may be killed and eaten by littermates or parents, so make sure they have enough space. Removing the father to a separate enclosure or area is usually a good idea. Gerbils reach puberty quickly; males will attempt to mate with their mothers if allowed to reach maturity in the same enclosure, but make sure not to remove them too early, either.

[edit] Captive-bred Gerbil Colors

There are many colour varieties of gerbil available in pet shops today generally the result of years of selective breeding:

  • Golden Agouti

The original colouring for gerbils. A sandy body with a white belly and a black strip running along their backs to the tip of the tail. Most will have this pigment in the wild.

  • Pink-Eyed White

A mutation of a gene now common in captivity. A white body with no variation of colour and red eyes. They are rare in the wild as they do not fit in with their environment.

  • White Spot

Similar to the golden agouti but with white spots on their bodies.

  • Dark-eyed Honey

Also similar to the golden agouti but with out the black strip.

  • Black

Black bodies with the occasional white spot.

  • Dove

Light grey in colour.

There are also other colour varieties available which have not been listed above. These include the Siamese Gerbil from Ireland. They have similar markings and pigment to the Siamese cat. No doubt there are many more colour variations to come.

Another species of gerbil has also been recently introduced to the pet industry. The fat-tailed gerbil. They’re smaller than the common Mongolian gerbils and have long soft coats and a fat tail. They originate from Northern Sahara.

[edit] References

  • McKenna, M. C. and S. K. Bell. 1997. Classification of Mammals above the Species Level. Columbia University Press, New York.
  • Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 1993. Family Muridae. Pp. 501-755 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.
  • Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, Vol. 2. Johns Hopkins University Press, London.
  • Pavlinov, I. Ya., Yu. A. Dubrovskiy, O. L. Rossolimo, E. G. Potapova. 1990. Gerbils of the world. Nauka, Moscow.

[edit] External links

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