Wet Tail is a very misused term in the small animal world and is often used to describe any type of diarrhoea in hamsters and other rodents. I don’t mind this actually – as it means that due to the high mortality and amazingly contagious nature of the true illness called wet tail – it … Read more
Gerbils, as pets, live on average between 2.5 and 4 years of age, but as high as 8 if you are to believe some of the stories? A breeder I know says they regularly top 4 years of age with their line of gerbils, but generally 4 is the uppermost age limit for most other … Read more
Mongolian gerbils make great pets and out of all the gerbils and jird species out there – they hold the single name ‘gerbil’ very proudly. All other gerbils or jirds need their full name to show how different they are to ‘gerbils’ 1: Gerbils are really Jirds? Gerbils – as we know them from … Read more
Can Gerbils Live In Traditional Hamster Cages? Well, yes and no. Gerbils and hamsters have a lot of generic things in common; they are both rodents, both fit in your hand and they are both sold in pet stores – they even both eat similar-looking food. But that is generally where the similarities end. They … Read more
All mammals can swim – it’s a survival mechanism. Swimming for most land-based animals is by definition: not drowning, so when they are accidentally washed away by heavy rain or flooding – they can keep themselves above water for a set length of time in the hope of finding dry land. Most animals don’t ever … Read more
Baby gerbils are adorable – totally. However, they aren’t babies for long – so the things that baby gerbils eat question is quite a simple one – and depends on how old they are: From birth to about 2 weeks of age Baby gerbils only eat mom’s milk – barely leaving the nest. From 2 … Read more
Yes is the short answer – gerbils can eat red, green, yellow, black or white grapes as often as any other fresh fruit or vegetable – they are totally safe for gerbils in gerbil-sized doses. Grapes are a common seasonal fruit in our homes and so are more likely to be offered as a treat … Read more
Yes is the short answer – gerbils can eat any type of strawberries going – and they can eat it as often as any other fresh fruit or vegetable – they are totally safe for gerbils in gerbil-sized doses. Strawberries are a common summer fruit in our homes and so are more likely to be … Read more
A Split Tank or Split Cage is a specially made small habitat used to safely introduce gerbils to each other over a period of time. Gerbils do NOT react well to meeting face-to-face with a stranger. Whether these gerbils are complete strangers or are relatives or friends who knew each other a while back but … Read more
Gerbils usually live in clans of two or more gerbils – and this is how the gerbil community likes to see them housed – but they can and sometimes do live alone. Gerbils are very social animals and like to socially groom and play and there are some great videos of double-drinking; double toilet roll … Read more