Review author: “ZooVita”
Until recently, cats, dogs, and, in rare cases, hamsters and rats were considered pets. But everything in the world is changing, and now the most exotic animals live in apartments. But if all sorts of crocodiles and ferrets are not attractive, then the charming gerbil mouse would be a good option.
Description of the animal gerbil
Gerbils are slightly larger than ordinary mice and hamsters. It is often confused with the rat, which is its closest relative, but unlike these rodents, the gerbil's body is covered with fluffy fur, and there is a cute tassel at the end of its tail.
The height of the mouse varies from 5 to 20 centimeters. The weight of small mice is 15 grams, large mice can grow to 100-200 grams.
Gerbils have a wide variety of colors, obtained through selective breeding, but most often there are animals with a brownish-sandy or brown color, which served as an excellent camouflage among the sands of Mongolia.
The rodent is practically defenseless against predators, so nature gave it acute hearing, excellent vision, quick reaction and strong hind legs to quickly notice the danger and have time to escape.
This subspecies of mice leaves virtually no unpleasant odors, which makes them even more desirable inhabitants of city apartments.
Varieties
At the moment, scientists have counted about one hundred species of this animal. They all differ in size and shade of fur. The smallest representative is the Baluchistan one, whose dimensions do not exceed seven centimeters. You can meet it in the southern regions of Eurasia.
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The Cheesman gerbil has remarkable large eyes. They are very noticeable on the small head of a rodent. Many people are attracted to the Persian mouse, which is relatively large in size and has a tassel on its tail.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the Mongolian gerbil, since it is very common for home keeping. It has quite impressive dimensions - length 20 centimeters, and weight - no more than 150 grams. There is also a cute tassel on the tail. From the name it becomes clear where the rodent lives.
Habitat of the gerbil
Under natural conditions, gerbils live in the steppes of Mongolia (where their name comes from); they are also found in China, India, Asia, and North Africa. Among the less exotic places of stay are Transbaikalia, Ciscaucasia, and Kazakhstan. So the question “where do gerbils live” has many possible answers: small animals have remarkably adapted to life in steppes, semi-steppes, deserts and semi-deserts.
However, you don’t have to travel to buy a pet rodent; it can be purchased at almost any major pet store or from breeders. The second option is considered more preferable.
Lifespan
You should know how long gerbils live before purchasing. So, with normal care, the average rodent will live about three years.
Record holders with a life expectancy of four years are rare. In the last year, the pet becomes lethargic, and various diseases and poor appetite also appear.
Gerbil character
Mice are particularly clean, friendly and inquisitive. The favorite pastimes of small animals will be all kinds of outdoor games: they love ladders and steps, small plastic and rag balls.
As can be seen in numerous photos of gerbil mice, they love to rise on their hind legs, examining the surroundings. They can jump high and are always ready to escape from the cage to fully satisfy their natural curiosity. They are not at all afraid of people and willingly make contact, but they do not like to be held in their hands for a long time, squeezed or stroked, limiting their freedom. They are too restless for this.
Gerbils are active during the day, so they will not interfere with night rest. In winter, animals can hibernate.
Their easy-going nature allows them to quickly win the love of all household members or become a favorite guest of the living corners of kindergartens, schools, stations of young naturalists and other zoological circles.
Gerbils do not really like being alone, so they are usually purchased in pairs (two brothers or two sisters) or as a whole family. It is not recommended to add new rodents to existing pets: the old-timers will show their character at first by beating up the newcomers.
Relationship with a person
Currently, gerbils are actively used by humans as pets, as they adapt well to captivity and are quite tame.
In order to choose a gerbil for yourself, it is important to know what the different subspecies look like. To do this, we recommend looking at photographs of gerbils. This will make it much easier to choose your favorite from the animal world.
Where do gerbils live?
For a comfortable living, the gerbil will need a spacious cage, or better yet, a large terrarium or aquarium. High glass walls will protect people from the noise made by the fussy inhabitants, and the floors will protect from debris that will certainly fly from the gerbil’s house.
If preference is still given to the cage, then it will have to be equipped with a high tray so that the bedding does not fall out.
For a low cage, you will need a lid so that the animal cannot get out into the wild simply by jumping up and down. But at the same time, the mice will need a constant flow of fresh air, so a hermetically sealed lid will not work.
Sawdust, hay, and straw are used as filler. They are poured onto the floor in a layer of 15-20 centimeters so that the pet can happily dig passages and build holes.
A separate bowl of sand is used as a toilet.
You should not buy houses with high shelves or dwellings consisting of several open floors: the rather fragile bones of the animal easily break when falling from a height, just like its fluffy tail.
To release excess energy, you need to install a wheel and install small ladders, and for a quiet pastime you will need a cozy house or a small box where the mice will make a cozy nest for themselves.
Driftwood or twigs will help kids clean and grind their teeth.
Food and water
The pet's diet should consist of formulated gerbil food. These are bulk mixtures of seeds, including special blocks of rodents. Try to avoid sunflower seeds and rice crispies; they are best used as treats. Look for a special diet containing 10.5 to 12 percent protein and 4 to 7 percent fat.
Hang a bottle of water on the cage and refresh it regularly. Fresh water should always be available. It is better to place a heavy ceramic saucer for food - it is more difficult to turn it over.
Gerbil Walks
A short walk around the apartment will only benefit the gerbils. But at the same time, they should always be supervised: having found a secluded corner, mice may consider this their new home, from which it will be difficult to remove them.
The love of gnawing everything that catches the eye can lead to the death of an animal left without supervision.
Gerbils mark their territory
Both male and female gerbils have scent glands and use them to mark their territory. However, males use it mainly in large groups. They constantly mark their territory by rubbing their scent gland over their cage and living area, which often causes them severe pain and sometimes leads to tumors.
It is recommended to keep no more than two males, and it is also recommended to regularly check your hamsters' scent glands for signs of tumors and ulcers.
The scent gland is located on the underside of the animal's body and runs along the midline of the body. This is an oval, hairless area that is slightly darker than a gerbil's skin.
Nutrition for the pyschanka
It is recommended to feed gerbils three times a week, and they do not need special bowls at all. Food can be placed directly on the bedding. They try to make portions so that they are enough for one time, otherwise the food will lose its attractive appearance, produce juice, and increase humidity, which desert inhabitants do not like. In addition, mice will try to hide uneaten reserves in the litter.
There are no drinking bowls in the cage, and the baby will receive the necessary moisture from fruits and vegetables.
The best option would be a ready-made mixture for rodents. Adherents of homemade food give their pets boiled eggs, vegetables, fresh fruits or soaked dried fruits, nuts, cottage cheese, white or gray crackers. But the pieces must be small in size so that the mouse can enjoy eating.
Fresh greens will be an excellent addition to the diet: leaves, twigs, grass, sprouted sprouts.
It is forbidden to give citrus fruits (due to the pungent odor), salty, peppery and sweet foods, potatoes and cabbage.
Communication
The first few days the pets get used to the new environment, so it is better to leave them alone. When you feel the new residents are ready, begin to approach them carefully while they are awake. Gradually gain their trust.
Feeding a rat at home
Offer them treats through the bars of the cage. When the treat is accepted without fear, offer it through the open cage door. Then place the treat in your palm and wait until your pet sits on it. Place the treats so that she has to climb onto your hand to get them.
Once your gerbil gets used to it, you can hold and carry your pet in your cupped hands. Many gerbils love to have the back of their heads and sides scratched. Do not grab the baby by the tail; if it seems to you that he is falling, it is better to gently hold him by the scruff of the neck.
Photos of all types of gerbil
Gerbils' teeth never stop growing
Gerbils' teeth do not stop growing until they die. Yes, it's true, they don't stop growing. However, in captivity they need constant care and attention. You will need to constantly check the health of your gerbil's teeth.
Giving your gerbil toys and chewing items will help keep your gerbil's teeth healthy. You will also need to check to see if the gerbil's teeth are aligned with each other. This can cause overgrowth of the incisors and/or cheek teeth (the teeth at the back of the mouth).
Overgrown incisors look like tusks and can cause health problems, infections and general ill health. If you suspect your gerbil has any dental problems, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Biology test No. 2, grade 9
Test work No. 2 on the topic: “Patterns of life at the organismal level.”
Viewing the contents of the document “Test work in biology No. 2, grade 9”
Test work No. 2 on the topic: “Patterns of life at the organismal level.”
1. A bacterial cell lacks: a) nucleic acids, b) cell membrane, c) cell nucleus, d) ribosomes.
2. Monocot plants are characterized by venation: a) pinnate, b) palmate, c) arcuate, d) reticulate
3. Ectoderm and endoderm appear for the first time in the process of evolution in representatives of: a) protozoa, b) coelenterates, c) flatworms, d) roundworms.
4. The location of a gene on a chromosome is called: a) genotype, b) locus, c) allele, d) nucleotide.
What does a gerbil eat in the desert?
The gerbil’s “menu” consists of plant parts (seeds, stems, shoots, leaves), sometimes insects, locusts, spiders and crickets. In extreme situations, rodents can feed on waste (feces) of camels and donkeys.
The animals are predominantly herbivores, so their pantries, hidden in the depths of their burrows, contain significant (sometimes up to 60 kilograms) food reserves. Considering that gerbils do not live as individuals, but in small families, this is enough for several adult animals, as well as cubs.
