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Pocket Pets: Gerbils

Pocket Pets: Gerbils. What are they?. Warm-blooded mammal in the rodent family. Diurnal – meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night Naturally friendly, curious and very sociable. Temperament. Love to be handled.

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Pocket Pets: Gerbils

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  1. Pocket Pets: Gerbils

  2. What are they? • Warm-blooded mammal in the rodent family. • Diurnal – meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night • Naturally friendly, curious and very sociable.

  3. Temperament • Love to be handled. • Happy gerbils often “sing” making noises like small birds chirping. • Like to have a buddy rather than be alone. • They choose one mate for life.

  4. Size and Life Expectancy • Halfway between a rat and a mouse! • About 2-4 oz. • Can live from 1-5 years! • Originated in Mongolia.

  5. Housing • Glass fish aquarium. • Wire-mesh cages. • Plastic habitat.

  6. Bedding Materials • LOVE digging as well as a soft place to sleep! • For sleep, digging and to catch urine. • Use aspen, corn cob or Carefresh bedding. • DO NOT use Pine or Cedar Wood Shavings. • Plain paper with no writing on it. • Fill tank or cage 1/3 full with bedding.

  7. Food • Use a good premixed gerbil food which has the right mix of protein, minerals, vitamins and bulk. • Place either directly in bedding to allow foraging or in small ceramic bowls. • Use Cheerios or Rice Krispies for treats!

  8. Water • Each tank needs it own water bottle. • Put tip of bottle ABOVE bedding! • Check bottle every day to make sure it’s not empty and operating properly.

  9. Toys and Exercise • Gerbils are very active and need entertainment! • Drill large holes through a 4” X 4”. • Toilet paper rolls, cardboard. • Wheels, wheels, wheels!

  10. Grooming • Can do it all by themselves! • Not only cleans them but helps socialize. • Dominate gerbil cleans submissive gerbil. • Chew things to file their teeth down.

  11. Other Areas to Study • Health Problems • Identification of breeds • Breeding and gestation • Animal rights and rescue work

  12. Resources • www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/care.php • www.dogbreedinfo.com/pets/gerbil.htm

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