A gerbil is a rodent that lives in wild conditions. Most often it occurs in steppes and deserts. Recently, this animal often appears in homes as a pet.
The sandstone, the photo of which is presented in the article,looks like an ordinary rat. The length of the animal's body reaches twenty centimeters. The tail of the rodent is longer - 24 cm. By the way, it can fall off. Only it does not grow back, as it does in lizards.
The muzzle at the rodent can be both sharpened, and blunted. Eyes of gerbils are large, convex. Her ears are clearly visible.
Окрас верха туловища тусклый, однотонный (обычно brown or buffy-sandy). The bottom of the animal is bright. On the head, around the eyes and behind the ears, the gerbil has bright spots. If we talk about the number of teeth, then this rodent has sixteen. Sometimes it happens that they are found even without roots.
Rodents move due to elongated hind limbs. Especially developed in the gerbils are the organs of hearing and sight.
There are many species of this rodent.The most common is Mongolian gerbils (clawed). This species is chosen as lovers of domestic rodents, as well as professional breeders. Because the Mongolian gerbils are easily tame. Often these rodents are confused with tusks.
The Mongolian gerbil dwells in the deserts of North Africa, India, and Asia. The animal is loyal to people. The beast leads a normal lifestyle, it is prone to the formation of colonies.
Usually the rodent is active during the day.In the winter, gerbils fall into hibernation. These rodents are prone to depression and depression. Sexual maturity of the mouse gerbil reaches as early as the tenth to sixteenth week. Life expectancy is three to four years.
In the desert, the gerbil feeds on shrubs and green parts of herbaceous plants.
Before purchasing an animal for a rodent, it is worth creating certain conditions, it is worth buying a cage. Also for housing will suit a terrarium (aquarium) of fifty liters.
If the gerbil at home will live in a cage, then she must have a high pallet.
An animal should be put something to grind the teeth (for example, tree branches) so that it does not gnaw the cage or the plastic pallet.
What if you have gerbils?The maintenance and care of these animals will be much easier if it is properly arranged for them. Such rodents are very fond of digging. Therefore, for their comfort, it is worth pouring a large layer of sawdust (centimeters fifteen). Hay can also be added. Rodents from it can create nests.
The gerbil should have constant access to water. Use for this purpose special drinkers, which can be attached outside the cage.
What can I do to make the gerbils healthy?The maintenance and care of them assume the careful care of a wool. Animals can take their own sand baths. For these purposes put a special container with sand in the cage. You need to do this about once a week.
A wheel can also be put in a cage to a small animal. It is advisable not to choose plastic. A metal wheel with a mesh is the safest and most practical model.
All rodents that are kept in captivity, in thator to some extent, lack salt. Their source is a mineral salt or chalk stone for rodents. It is sold in pet stores. To fix a stone it is possible on a wall motionlessly, or it is suspended on a wire.
It is convenient to hang the feeder above the level of sawdust, or put it on the second floor of the cage. Otherwise, gerbils will dig it in or turn it over.
Since rodents are clean enough, cleaning should be done only once every two weeks. All because gerbils practically do not give an unpleasant smell, and liquids are released per day only four grams.
The main diet of gerbils is seeds and cereals.They make different mixtures for rodents. They can be bought at a pet store. The food for gerbils includes oats, millet, greens, sunflower seeds, corn, and legumes. Sometimes you can add flakes and cereals to them. Feed gerbils should be twice a day, about one teaspoon per rodent.
If you live a pregnant or nursing gerbilthen increase the feed rate. Soft food should be included in the diet of the rodent. Grain bread and porridge will suit the grain. You can also give cottage cheese and yogurt. Add new food is gradually. What can you give to rodents? Vegetables and fruits (carrots, banana, apples and others). Dried fruits can also please the rodent. The citric, cabbage and potatoes can not be baked. The animal can be given fresh greens, as well as leaves and branches of fruit trees. Gerbils, whose photo is very funny, should only eat fresh food. Oily, salty, sweet and salty foods are prohibited. Food from the table should not fall into the bowl of a rodent. It is harmful to the animal.
Now you know who the gerbils are.The maintenance and care of these animals are simple enough. All important aspects of their content are described in the article. We also touched on the topic of nursing and feeding. We hope that now you will be able to choose a pet for yourself, as well as keep it right.
