If you are talking about ‘normal’ gerbils – the adorable angels we see in most pet stores and forums – then they get the perfect size to hold in your hand – especially for younger hands. (Their hearts are even bigger though.)
They are a little bit shorter in length than a Syrian hamster and much, much slimmer. They also have the added bonus of a lovely long furred tail with a delightful tuft on the end.
They will sit on your hand perfectly for some one-to-one bonding moments – and super pictures.
Even when not handled regularly, they are super friendly when picked up and rarely ever bite to be honest – but use a jar for new or nervous gerbils to be sure you don’t upset them with your giant hands.
Think you have a giant gerbil?
Normal gerbils have a weight range of between 50g and 90g for an adult female (that’s around 1.7 to 3.2 ounces) and males range from around 70g to 120g (2.4 to 4.2 ounces) – with the top weight really being a big ‘un – usually with accompanying neck hump and disappearing front feet (not good).
Anything in-between is fine and dandy for your pet – and it doesn’t matter if two gerbils of the same age are wildly different weights either – they are all individuals. And in gerbil clans – the boss usually gets the best food – so they may well be bigger than their tank mate – even if the smaller one is always seen at the food bowl (they are only getting the leftovers…)
Weight change is more important than actual weight – so if your gerbil lives a pretty normal life and eats pretty normal food but is a lightweight or a heavyweight – it doesn’t matter. As long as they stay the same weight.
How big do you want your gerbil to get?
However, if you like a bit of a larger gerbil to handle, there are plenty of jirds and gerbils available to pet owners that have an increased girth – such as the ever-popular Shaw’s Jird which is now available in a range of colours and quite simply resembles a larger gerbil. And the Persian Jird – totally mesmerising in appearance and grace.
Or there are similar sized gerbils but quite different in appearance such as the adorable Pale or Pallid Gerbil with its giant eyes and beaky nose. Or how about the busy-tailed jird with its, well its bushy tail?
Fat-tailed Gerbils (or more commonly called Duprasi) are what I would describe as a flat fluffy gerbil as they have shorter legs and don’t tend to dig or jump as enthusiastically as Mongolian Gerbils – however, they are so cute.
They have –as their name would suggest – a fat tail (where they store water) and they are much more laid back, so you always tend to see them asleep. And I have witnessed one who was asleep in their wheel and gradually slipped out and onto their back on the ground – they didn’t wake up! Just laid there upside-down. I should have got a picture…
You think you want something different?
Finally – if you really do want a giant gerbil – there are plenty of exotic pets that could tempt you – but you won’t be needing a 4 foot tank for these babies.
Giant gerbils for starters are a good foot tall – they need space to build an underground colony; maybe prairie dogs might interest you – they can live in your house like a bunny rabbit but they have rather a specialised diet to contend with?
Or how about a groundhog – or some marmots? People do keep them – although goodness knows where?