Gerbil

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Gerbil 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.^[1]

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 1 Subfamily Gerbillinae 2 Trivia 3 Gerbils as Pets 3.1 Reasons for Popularity 4 Pet Gerbil Care 5 Captive-bred Gerbil Colors 6 References 7 External links

[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:

• Tribe Gerbillini
  • Subtribe Gerbillina
    • Genus Gerbillus (Typical gerbils; Northern pygmy gerbils)
      • subgenus Handecapleura
        • Gerbillus campestris
        • Gerbillus lowei
        • Gerbillus somalicus
        • Gerbillus stigmonyx
        • Gerbillus dasyurus
        • Gerbillus vivax
        • Gerbillus mackilligini
        • Gerbillus jamesi
        • Gerbillus maghrebi
        • Gerbillus amoenus
        • Gerbillus poecillops
        • Gerbillus famulus
        • Gerbillus nanus
        • Gerbillus brockmani
        • Gerbillus garamantis
        • Gerbillus grobbeni
        • Gerbillus principulus
        • Gerbillus quadrimaculatus
        • Gerbillus watersi
        • Gerbillus juliani
        • Gerbillus mesopotamiae
        • Gerbillus henleyi
        • Gerbillus syrticus
        • Gerbillus pusillus
        • Gerbillus percivali
        • Gerbillus diminutus
        • Gerbillus ruberrimus
        • Gerbillus bottai
        • Gerbillus harwoodi
        • Gerbillus muriculus
        • Gerbillus mauritaniae (sometimes considered a separate genus Monodia)
      • Subgenus Dipodillus
        • Gerbillus simoni
        • Gerbillus zakariai
      • Subgenus Gerbillus
        • Gerbillus gerbillus
        • Gerbillus cheesmani
        • Gerbillus cosensi
        • Gerbillus aquilus
        • Gerbillus gleadowi
        • Gerbillus andersoni
        • Gerbillus bonhotei
        • Gerbillus pyramidum
        • Gerbillus acticola
        • Gerbillus burtoni
        • Gerbillus dongolanus
        • Gerbillus floweri
        • Gerbillus riggenbachi
        • Gerbillus tarabuli
        • Gerbillus allenbyi
        • Gerbillus hesperinus
        • Gerbillus pulvinatus
        • Gerbillus bilensis
        • Gerbillus perpallidus
        • Gerbillus latastei
        • Gerbillus dunni
        • Gerbillus hoogstraali
        • Gerbillus occiduus
        • Gerbillus rosalinda
        • Gerbillus agag
        • Gerbillus dalloni
        • Gerbillus nigeriae
        • Gerbillus nancillus
    • Genus Microdillus (listed as a subgenus of Gerbillus until 1977)
      • Microdillus peeli
  • Subtribe Merionina
    • Genus Meriones (jirds)
      • Subgenus Parameriones
        • Meriones persicus
        • Meriones rex
      • Subgenus Cheliones
        • Meriones hurrianae
      • Subgenus Meriones
        • Meriones vinogradovi
        • Meriones tamariscinus
        • Meriones tristrami
      • Subgenus Pallasiomys
        • Meriones unguiculatus
        • Meriones meridianus
        • Meriones dahli
        • Meriones chengi
        • Meriones shawi
        • Meriones libycus
        • Meriones arimalius
        • Meriones caudatus
        • Meriones crassus
        • Meriones sacramenti
        • Meriones zarudnyi
    • Genus Rhombomys (Great Gerbil)
      • Rhombomys opimus
    • Genus Psammomys (Sand rats)
      • Psammomys obesus
      • Psammomys vexillaris
    • Genus Sekeetamys (Bushy-tailed jird; listed as a subgenus of Meriones until 1956)
      • Sekeetamys calurus
    • Genus Brachiones (Przewalski's gerbil)
      • Brachiones przewalski (discovered by Nikolai Przhevalsky)
  • Subtribe Desmodilliscina
    • Genus Desmodilliscus
      • Desmodilliscus braueri
  • Subtribe Pachyuromyina
    • Genus Pachyuromys (Fat-tailed gerbil)
      • Pachyuromys duprasi
• Tribe Taterillini
  • Subtribe Taterillina
    • Genus Tatera (Large naked-soled gerbils)
      • Subgenus Gerbilliscus
        • Tatera boehmi
      • Subgenus Taterona
        • Tatera leucogaster
        • Tatera nigricauda
        • Tatera robusta
        • Tatera guineae
        • Tatera phillipsi
        • Tatera afra
        • Tatera valida
        • Tatera kempi
        • Tatera gambiana
        • Tatera brantsii
        • Tatera inclusa
        • Tatera pringlei
      • Subgenus Tatera
        • Tatera indica
    • Genus Taterillus (Small naked-soled gerbils)
      • Taterillus gracilis
      • Taterillus petteri
      • Taterillus pygargus
      • Taterillus arenarius
      • Taterillus lacustris
      • Taterillus congicus
      • Taterillus harringtoni
      • Taterillus emini
  • Subtribe Gerbillurina
    • Genus Desmodillus (Short-eared gerbil)
      • Desmodillus auricularis
    • Genus Gerbillurus (Southern pygmy gerbils)
      • Gerbillurus paeba
      • Gerbillurus tytonis
      • Gerbillurus vallinus
      • Gerbillurus setzeri
• Tribe Ammodillini
  • Genus Ammodillus (Walo)
    • Ammodillus imbellis

[edit] Trivia

• When a gerbil is suddenly surprised, startled or excited, it may begin thumping its 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.^[2][3][4]
• They love sunflower seeds. If their diet is not monitored they can become overweight because the seeds have a high fat content.^[5][4]
• Gerbils will usually have 4 toes on each of its front feet and 5 toes on each of its back feet.
• The oldest recorded gerbil, Sahara, lived to eight years and four months, belonging to Aaron Milstone from Michigan, USA. Sahara died in October 1981.^{[citation needed]}
• 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.

It is illegal to purchase, import or keep a gerbil as a pet in the U.S. State of California. [2]

[edit] 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.^[2][3][4]
• 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.^[2][3][4]

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.^[3][4]

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.^[4] The shavings or "litter" should be changed weekly to avoid possible health hazards such as infections.

Water must be provided at all times, usually via a water bottle with a metal spout and ball-bearing valve.^[3][4] These are commonly available at pet stores. Water should be changed daily.

As pets they are typically fed a mixture of grains, nuts and sunflower seeds.^[5][3][4]

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. ^[4] 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 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. Mesh or solid wheels are safer than barred wheels, as the gerbils' long tails and legs can get caught in between the bars and injured or amputated.^[4][3]

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. Though rarely, under population stress, baby gerbils may be killed and eaten by littermates or parents-- so make sure they have enough space. Male gerbils are excellent fathers, and should be left with the family to help raise the pups. However, gerbils will mate immediately after giving birth, so leaving the male insures another litter will be on the way. If another litter is not desired, a daughter from a previous litter can be left to help raise the pups instead of the father. 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.^[3]

[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.

There are over 20 different coat colors in the Mongolian gerbil, which has been captive-bred the longest.^[6]

Another species of gerbil has also been recently introduced to the pet industry: the fat-tailed gerbil, or duprasi. They’re smaller than the common Mongolian gerbils and have long soft coats and a short, fat tail, appearing more like a hamster. There is a variation on the normal duprasi coat which is more gray in color, which may be a mutation, or it may be the result of hybrids between the Egyptian and Algerian subspecies of duprasi.^[7][8]

White spotting has been reported in not only the Mongolian Gerbil, but also the Pallid Gerbil^[9] and possibly Sundervall's Jird^[10].

A long-haired mutation, a gray agouti or chinchilla mutation, white spotting, and possibly a dilute mutation have also appeared in Shaw's Jirds,^[11] and white spotting and a dilute mutation have shown up in Bushy-Tailed Jirds.^[12]

[edit] References

1. ^ Schwentker, V. "The Gerbil. A new laboratory animal." Ill Vet 6: 5-9, 1963.
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Behaviour." The Gerbil Information Page. Ed. Karin van Veen. Nov. 2001. Dutch Gerbil Study Group. Gerbil Genetics Group. <http://www.gerbil-info.com/html/behave1.htm>.
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} "Gerbil FAQ."The Critter Corner. Ed. Michelle Haines. 2 May 2004. <http://members.nanc.com/~mhaines/gerbil.html>.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} "Gerbil Care Handbook." The American Gerbil Society. <http://agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/index.html>.
5. ^ ^{a b} "Food & housing." The Gerbil Information Page. Ed. Karin van Veen. Nov. 2001. Dutch Gerbil Study Group. Gerbil Genetics Group. <http://www.gerbil-info.com/html/foodandhousing.htm>.
6. ^ Anastasi, Donna. Gerbils: The Complete Guide to Gerbil Care. Irvine: Bowtie Press, 2005.
7. ^ "Fat-Tailed Gerbil (Duprasi)." The Gerbil Information Page. Ed. Karin van Veen. Nov. 2001. Dutch Gerbil Study Group. Gerbil Genetics Group. <http://www.gerbil-info.com/html/otherduprasiuk.htm>.
8. ^ "Pachyuromys duprasis - Fat Tailed Gerbil."e-Gerbil. Ed. Eddie Cope. 2006. <http://www.sensi-media.com/gerbil/duprasi.htm>.
9. ^ "The Pallid Gerbil - Gerbillus perpallidus."e-Gerbil. Ed. Eddie Cope. 2006. <http://www.sensi-media.com/gerbil/duprasi.htm>.
10. ^ "Gerbil Genetics."NGS Frontpage. Ed. Julian Barker. 30 Nov. 2004. The National Gerbil Society.<http://www.gerbils.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/gerbils/genetics.htm#Mutations>.
11. ^ "Care and management of Shaw's Jirds - Meriones shawi."e-Gerbil. Ed. Eddie Cope. 2006. <http://www.sensi-media.com/gerbil/shaws.htm>.
12. ^ "Sekeetamys calurus - Bushy Tailed Jirds."e-Gerbil. Ed. Eddie Cope. 2006. <http://www.sensi-media.com/gerbil/bushy.htm>.

• 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

• The Gerbil FAQ
• GerbilConnection (Dutch)
• The National Gerbil Society (U.K.)
• The American Gerbil Society
• TheGerbils.com - Everything about the gerbil!
• Gerbils at Popular Pets