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| THE RATS |
| No, they aren't actually rats- they're gerbils. What is the difference between rats/ mice and gerbils? Gerbils are from Mongolia (lots of deserts). They are small- about 5 inches nose to tail tip. They don't smell because they rarely urinate. They have fur on their tails. That about covers it. Well, to me, they have a different look than rats or mice (not that I don't like rats and mice). Below are pictures of some of my gerbils. Left: May 1997, Right: Summer 1999. |
| LEFT: From left to right: Dorothy, Bagel, Dottie, Charcoal (looks like a shadow in the background) RIGHT: From left to right: Roo, Boo, Digger |
| Currently, I have Boo and Roo. They are sisters, along with Digger, who is no longer with us. They will be two years old soon. Gerbils under good care can live up to four years. Charcoal (below) lived for 3 and a half years, until May of 2000. |
| Housing gerbils is fairly simple. A pair does well in a 10 gallon aquarium with a screened top. Make sure the top is fastened or held down somehow- never underestimate the power and curiousity in those little bodies. For litter, use Carefresh, cob bedding, aspen shavings or even shredded newspaper, which they will shred still further. DO NOT USE CEDAR OR PINE SHAVINGS. Both these types can give all small animals respiratory infections. |
| Make sure water is always available in a water bottle. Gerbils will just pile litter into water bowls, so bottles are the cleanest method. Feeding them is also simple- a fortified seed diet along with fresh foods: kale, apple, pear, strawberry, romaine lettuce, carrots, plain Cheerios, whole wheat breads and pastas. Never feed bulb vegetables like onions and radishes to any animal. When in doubt, call a vet for questions on specific foods. |
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| National Gerbil Society Homepage |
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| Gerbils love to chew up cardboard. Cut holes in cereal or snack boxes and they'll play for hours, before destroying it. They also love the rolls from the center of paper towels or toilet paper. |
| Pictured at right is our very first gerbil group. Mrs. Dorothy is in the upper half, near the box. Charcoal is poking her head out of the box. Dotty and Bagel are in the tube (you can't see them). Photo: July 1997 |
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| Charcoal as a baby, in July 1997. |
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| Boo & Roo in December 2000 |
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