Gerbils are generally monogamous, and paired gerbils will usually begin to mate at
about 3 months of age
. Mating can be identified by a ritual of chasing and mounting, with both gerbils checking their undersides after each round. Pregnancy lasts about 24 days, and a litter consists of 1 to 8 gerbil pups.
When do gerbils give birth?
Female gerbils give birth
at 21 – 25 days
. They hide their pregnancies well, and there is often no obvious sign that she is pregnant until the last minute, when she begins nesting. In the last two or three days her belly may appear slightly swollen too.
Can gerbils be infertile?
Unexplained infertility is rare in gerbils
, but it can happen to both males and females.
How many gerbils can live together?
In general, it’s best to keep
between two and four gerbils
. Also, large groups can become unstable as individuals jostle for a place in the hierarchy, and aggression can sometimes break out – especially if there is not enough space.
How can you tell if your gerbil is pregnant?
Some pregnant gerbils take
on a ‘pear-shaped’ appearance
when pregnant – i.e. the bottom half of their body becomes larger than the top bit. Try looking at your pet from above and see if she’s gained weight around the bottom half.
Is it better to have 1 or 2 gerbils?
Gerbils are social animals and need the constant company of their own kind. The only exception to this is the Fat-tailed gerbil, as females of this species can be kept alone, and will often fight with other females. Otherwise,
it is always advisable to get a pair of gerbils
, either two males or two females.
Is it better to get male or female gerbils?
Some owners say
males are more docile and friendly towards each other than females
. … However, it’s generally a good idea to choose males if you want to keep more than two gerbils together, as they seem slightly happier in larger groups than females. There is very little size difference between male and female gerbils.
Do gerbils need a wheel?
Many gerbils
enjoy running on wheels
. Any wheels should have a solid surface and have a solid back wall. Their tails and other body parts can get caught in and injured on wheels with rungs or cross-supports. A solid wheel such as a Silent Spinner or Wodent Wheel is a good choice.
How do you take care of a pregnant gerbil?
If you suspect that your female gerbil is pregnant,
remove everything from the cage except food, water, nesting materials, and a reduced layer of bedding
. Avoid cleaning the cage during the first few days of the pups’ lives.
What is the name of a baby gerbil?
Baby gerbils are called
pups
. In captivity, they can be born in litters as large as 13 or 14, although a more normal size is six to eight.
Do gerbils nest?
Gerbils naturally build nests
. Don’t give them nesting materials that separate into thin strands, e.g. cotton wool or similar ‘fluffy’ bedding products. They pose a serious risk to their health and welfare, due to the possibility of entanglement or ingestion.
What is the longest living gerbil?
The oldest gerbil was a Mongolian gerbil named
Sahara
, she was born in May 1973 and died on 4 October 1981 aged 8 years and 4 months.
How often should I clean my gerbil cage?
You should clean your gerbilarium
every two to three weeks
, or more often if it gets dirty. Because gerbils originate from desert and dry grassland areas, they do not produce much urine and waste, so it’s fairly easy to keep their environment clean and free from smells.
Why gerbils are bad pets?
Unlike hamsters, gerbils are very sociable creatures and
a solitary life can be bad for them
. Studies have shown that gerbils live longer and healthier lives when they live with others of their kind, while solitary gerbils tend to be unhealthy, overweight, and have shorter lifespans.
What bedding do you use for gerbils?
Carefresh or cardboard shavings
– This is soft, cozy bedding that is great for tunnelling. It’s digestible, and gerbils can’t get tangled up in it. Shredded paper – A long as the paper is ink- and dye-free, shredded paper can be a good choice of bedding, and has the benefit of being cheap too.
