The gerbil is a mammal belonging to a breed of small rodents related to mice and rats.Gerbils are usually found in the arid regions of Africa, India, and other parts of Asia. They are a popular pet choice among children due to their extremely gentle nature.Gerbils are primarily nocturnal in nature, but those living in the wild are neither nocturnal nor diurnal; they sleep for short periods of time during the day and then during the night. They are extremely active and love to jump around and play. Their average size is about four in (10.1 cm). They have a small, slender body with a long tail and large eyes and ears. Gerbils can grow up to be eight in (20.3), which is the height of the Mongolian gerbil.If you are looking for more fascinating facts, check out these fun facts articles on radial symmetry in animals and nocturnal animals.Wild Gerbil Lifespan The lifespan of a gerbil depends on the species. It is genetic.The most common gerbil is the Mongolian gerbil which lives in the wild in the deserts of Mongolia. These animals have a lifespan of two to four years, but in the wild, they only live up to a few months due to danger from predators.The fat-tailed gerbil, found in the Sahara Desert, has an average lifespan of five to seven years, but in the wild, the fat-tailed gerbil is unlikely to reach this age.Wild gerbils are less unlikely to live up to more than a few months after being born because they are very small; they are an easy target for predators.How long do gerbils live in captivity?Gerbils are known to live longer in captivity than in the wild.The Mongolian gerbil can live up to two to four years in captivity with proper care, while the fat-tailed gerbil can live up to five years.Gerbils are a very popular pet choice, and they have a lifespan of fewer than 10 years as pets.Mongolian gerbils are the most popular pet choice as they are the most common gerbils to be found in America. They are low maintenance and do not require too much attention like some other pets.The oldest known gerbil had a lifespan of eight years and four months. The oldest known gerbils to date have all belonged to the Mongolian gerbil species.Although pet gerbils do not have to worry about predators, they can still be prone to diseases due to their genetic predisposition, diet, and care.Aging And The Average Lifespan Of GerbilsThe average life expectancy of wild gerbils is around three years.In captivity, these species breed for the whole year. Gerbils are known to breed three times a year. Gerbils breed all year round from the age of three months old to 20 months old.From around two and a half years old, a gerbil starts showing signs of old age. A gerbil might become lazy and start losing weight.Older gerbils sleep more than young gerbils. Not disturbing a gerbil’s sleep is extremely important for its health. They also tend to leave their cages less than young gerbils.Older gerbils also need their teeth checked regularly, as older gerbils spend more time resting and tend not to gnaw on objects, which can cause the teeth to grow longer and cause problems.Older gerbils also have different nutrition requirements than young gerbils. Older male gerbils need less protein and need more water than younger gerbils.Their living site also has to be suitable, with chew toys for their teeth, and if a gerbil suffers from arthritis or partial paralysis, you can change the position of the litter for them to have easier access. A gerbil’s environment should be kept clean and comfortable. Moving items around the cage regularly can increase stress for your tiny friend.Older gerbils are at higher risks of diseases that are caused by genetic reasons. These gerbils are at risk of developing diseases like tumors in their digestive tracks; gerbils should be taken to the vet regularly.Factors Affecting Gerbil Life Expectancy How long a gerbil may live depends on the care it recieves. The lifespan of a gerbil is affected by many factors like genetics, nutrition, care, and company.Nutrition is a major factor that affects the life expectancy of a gerbil. A well-balanced diet according to the age and breed of the gerbil will keep your gerbil healthy. Gerbil owners can regulate the amount of healthy and fresh food that their pet eats to maintain their health.Gerbils naturally eat grass and sometimes insects. In the wild, gerbils search for food by burrowing in the soil to find insects.A gerbil needs fresh water at all times for a healthy life.The environment in which a gerbil lives plays a role in keeping it healthy. The bedding inside the cage of a gerbil is supposed to be kept clean. The bedding can be made of soft blankets or hay to provide comfort.Pet owners commonly make a mistake because they do not provide a large space for a gerbil in the cage. The owner should use a large cage as a house for the gerbil as they are fun and active creatures who like to play around. An owner should invest in chew toys for their little pet. A stress-free life is extremely important for a gerbil and its life expectancy.Mongolian gerbils are a breed of social animals. These creatures like to have a companion to live longer. Getting another unknown gerbil might prove risky as gerbils are territorial and may engage in a fight for food and space. Therefore, it is advisable for owners to adopt another Mongolian gerbil, so they’re familiar with each other, usually in same-sex pairs or groups.Keeping gerbils with other pets like dogs and cats may shorten their lifespan due to stress and the fear of being made prey.The proper handling of gerbils is not difficult, as owning a gerbil as a pet and keeping it in captivity already leads to an increase in its average life expectancy by years. You should scoop up a gerbil in your palm or pick up a gerbil by its tail to keep it away from things that can shorten your pet’s life.Incorrect handling of a gerbil can cause the gerbil immense stress and shorten its lifespan. Gerbils are not cuddly animals and may only show small amounts of affection to their owners. Gerbils don’t like to be held for a long time, so make sure not to cuddle them for too long. Human interaction is important for a gerbil’s health as it keeps them active.Genetic factors also majorly affect the lifespan of a gerbil. Gerbils’ genetics make them prone to several diseases like other rodents. Some of these diseases are prone to lead to shorter lifespans. Gerbils are known to have seizures and cancer as common diseases. Seizures in gerbils occur from as young as two months old. In case you notice a seizure, you should take your pet gerbil to the vet immediately.Dental care is also one of the very important factors for the long lifespan of a gerbil, as their teeth never stop growing. In the wild, they are manageable, as gerbils chew anything that is immobile. In captivity, their teeth are to be regularly monitored, so they don’t grow too long.Long teeth can lead to problems like jaw dislocation in gerbils. Maintaining their teeth is important for your gerbils’ health as overgrown teeth can cause malnutrition as they struggle to eat anything.Increasing Your Gerbil’s LifespanYour gerbil’s lifespan can be increased by following a few simple steps.Their diet should be properly managed. A good diet is key to the long lifespan of pet gerbils. Gerbils need good food to keep them healthy and maintain a healthy weight. Avoid high sugar foods and treats that can cause health problems.Always have a trusted and experienced vet that can help you with your gerbil when it is sick.Weighing your gerbil regularly after it reaches two years is important for tracking health issues.Breed your gerbils at a reputable breeder and tame your pet at an early ageProvide fresh and clean water to your pet gerbil at all times.Pet Mongolian gerbils may need to have company, so make sure to keep them in same-sex pairs or groups.Give your gerbils long play hours to keep them active. Use toys and hurdles for this purpose.Your gerbil can live a long life up to four years if taken care of properly. How long a gerbil lives depend on many factors. However, gerbils are considered a good pet for children despite their shorter lifespans than other animals.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our facts about how long gerbils live, then why not take a look at our articles about the Flemish giant rabbit lifespan or if hamsters can swim?
The gerbil is a mammal belonging to a breed of small rodents related to mice and rats.
