Meriones unguiculatus

Mongolian Gerbil

Gerbils are lively desert rodents that spend most of their time digging elaborate tunnel systems. A deep, dry substrate matters as much as floor space for their wellbeing.

MuridaeLifespan 2–4 yearsCare complexity 2/5Suitable for beginners

At a glance

Scientific name: Meriones unguiculatus
Family: Muridae
Origin: Steppe and desert regions of Mongolia and northern China
Lifespan: 2–4 years
Adult size: 10–12 cm body length, plus a long tail
Weight: 60–130 g
Temperament: Curious, active and generally not prone to biting when tamed young
Activity level: High, especially at dawn and dusk
Social needs: High; keep in same-sex pairs or small groups from the same litter
Intelligence: Good spatial memory for tunnel systems and food caches
Noise: Very quiet; occasional foot-drumming

Housing and environment

Housing: Deep tank or gerbilarium with at least 30 cm of substrate for tunnelling
Space requirement: Minimum 100 x 50 cm floor area for a pair, with substrate depth prioritised
Temperature: 18–24°C
Humidity: Low to moderate; gerbils are adapted to dry climates and suffer in damp housing
Exercise: Digging, tunnelling and an exercise wheel with a solid surface
Grooming: Self-grooming plus a dust bath area with chinchilla sand

Diet and feeding

Seed and grain mix formulated for gerbils, plus fresh vegetables in small amounts

Behaviour and compatibility

Extensive tunnel digging, foot-thumping when alarmed, hoarding food

With children: Suitable for supervised gentle handling by older children
With other animals: Keep apart from all other pets, including other rodent species
Training difficulty: Low to moderate; tames well with regular handling from a young age

Health

Tail degloving if grabbed by the tail
Seizures in some lines
Overgrown teeth
Tumours in older age

Find a small-mammal vet in advance; exotic vet availability varies by region

Special care requirements

Never lift a gerbil by its tail — the skin can deglove permanently