Scientific Name: Gerbillinae
Type: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
Size: 7-15cm (2.5-6in)
Weight: 56.6113g (2-4oz)
Top Speed: 6km/h (4mph)
Life Span: 3-5 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
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. Therefore, most are primarily nocturnal, and almost all are omnivorous.
Gerbil video.
What does a Gerbil look like?
The gerbil is a small rodent, similar in many ways to by the mouse and the hamster. Gerbils have a long tail like a mouse which the gerbil is able to shed should the tail get trapped. This self defense mechanism allows the gerbil to escape predators, leaving them with just a tail. The long and releasable tail of the gerbil is around the same length as the gerbils body, but it appears to depend on the individual gerbil species. The gerbil uses its long tail to help the gerbil balance when the gerbil is standing on its hind legs.
Where does the Gerbil live?
Gerbils are naturally found in the sandy plains of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The gerbil was originally known as a desert rat until they were commercially introduced to North America and bred as pets.
What does a Gerbil eat?
Wild gerbils like to eat seeds, flowers, roots, leaves, and insects. You should feed your pet gerbil every 1 to 2 weeks. When you feed your gerbil you should check the water. Pet gerbils like to eat lettuce, carrots, banana peels and food from pet stores. If you feed your gerbil banana peels don't give them too much at once. Gerbils love to gnaw. They are probably the most well know gnawer next to the beaver.
What do gerbils build?
Gerbils have sharp claws which the gerbils use to burrow their way into the sandy grounds of the desert. The gerbils are also able to use these underground burrows to get away from danger by quickly disappearing under the sand.
Wild gerbils are well known for building extensive networks of tunnels that the gerbils are able to hide and breed in. The gerbil only really comes to the surface of the ground when the gerbil needs to find food and water.
Gerbil images
Gerbil Wallpapers
Download free Gerbil wallpapers, click on the image to open the large version.
Gerbilwallpaper 1
Gerbil wallpaper 2
Gerbil wallpaper 3
Gerbil Coloring pages
Print free Gerbil coloring pages, click on the image to open the large version.
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. Therefore, most are primarily nocturnal, and almost all are omnivorous. 
