How long do gerbils live as a pet?

How long do gerbils live as a pet?

Pachyuromys duprasi: 5 – 7 years
Great gerbil: 2 – 4 years
Gerbils/Lifespan

What is the oldest gerbil ever?

The oldest gerbil was a Mongolian gerbil named Sahara, she was born in May 1973 and died on 4 October 1981 aged 8 years and 4 months.

Can you keep just one gerbil?

Gerbils are very sociable pets that are usually kept in pairs. If you’d prefer to keep a single gerbil, you will need to interact with the gerbil regularly to fulfill its social needs. With the right attention and care, your single gerbil can live a long, happy life.

Should I get 1 or 2 gerbils?

Otherwise, it is always advisable to get a pair of gerbils, either two males or two females. It’s true that they can live in larger groups, but unless you have a very big space to keep them in, they’re going to be a bit crowded. In general, it’s best to keep between two and four gerbils.

Do gerbils get lonely?

Sadly, gerbils do get lonely. They are social creatures who are at their happiest living in a group or colony of other gerbils. If they are separated from the group, they are deprived of social interaction and this makes them lonely.

How old do gerbils live in the wild?

Some captive gerbils have lived to be between 8 and 10 years old! What is clear, though, is that gerbils that are kept as pets will almost always live longer than wild gerbils that are left to care for themselves.

What’s the life expectancy of a fat tailed gerbil?

Fat-tailed (also called Duprasi) gerbils have a longer life expectancy than Mongolian gerbils. They will generally live between 5 and 8 years in captivity. This kind of gerbil also is less likely to bite but is less common as a pet. In some regions, keeping a fat-tailed gerbil is even forbidden.

Which is the best kind of gerbil to keep?

The most popular pet gerbil is the Mongolian gerbil and this article is mainly aimed at this pet gerbil. These gerbils aren’t a long-term commitment but you’ll still have to take good care of them for several years. These little rodents are great to watch and can get affectionate.

How long does it take for a gerbil to breed?

In captivity they can breed all year round, including from the day after giving birth to a litter! So it’s essential that you keep males and females separately if you are not planning to breed your gerbils. Gerbil pregnancy typically lasts 3 weeks (give or take a couple of days!).