Gerbils This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

Gerbils Mongolian Gerbil – Meriones unguiculatus Easy to handle Mild tempermant Adaptabile to environmental changes Low occurrence of natural diseases

USE IN RESEARCH Radiobiology Stroke Auditory – hearing close to human Endocrine function Dental studies Reproduction Epilepsy

HANDLING AND RESTRAINT Should pick up a gerbil by the base of the tail  Should not pick up at the tip since that can cause the skin to pull off. Surgical amputation would need to be performed. Another method is to cup both hands under gerbil and gently lift.

HANDLING AND RESTRAINT To restrain for an exam or treatment  Pick gerbil up by base of tail  Grasp the scruff area with thumb and index finger with opposite hand (that is holding base of tail)  The gerbil’s back should be in your palm.  Grasp the tail with your little finger.

HANDLING AND RESTRAINT

BREEDING Form monogamous pairs  Remain with same mate for life Trying to separate pairs and have them mate with another gerbil is usually unsuccessful and can result in fighting and even death.

BREEDING Sexual Maturity – days Gestation – days Litter size – 4-5 Weaning – 21 days

SEXING Males have a greater anogenital distance than females do. Note the anogenital distance in the above picture. Do you think this is a male or female?

BEHAVIOR Docile Clean and curious Desert animal and adapt to very little water  Produce small amounts of urine  Little odor Cyclic activity  Periods of high activity  Followed by periods of sleep  Will burrow, nest, scratch claws rapidly on side of cage, interact with cage mates and groom one another.

BEHAVIOR Both males and females have a dark yellow gland called the ventral marking gland. Rub against things and secrete their scent. Spend a large amount of time grooming this gland.

BEHAVIOR May hear foot stomping This may be part of their sexual ritual Can also be a signal to others that there is danger present.

UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR In about 20% of gerbils, they have epileptic seizures.  Usually from a result of handling, loud noises or other excitement.  During seizure they may twitch or appear to be kicking or they may freeze.

DISEASES Tyzzer’s Disease – Bacterial Infection  Depression  Ruffled hair coat  Hunched posture  Anorexia  Watery diarrhea Transmission  Fecal-oral Treatment  Removal of infected animals  Sterilization of primary enclosure  Reduction of stress

DISEASES Nasal Dermatitis  Alopecia and dermatitis around upper lip and nares  Erythema, scabbing May be caused by stress Symptomatic treatment

PARASITIC DISEASE Demodex  Alopecia  Scaly skin  Ulceration Old age and debilitation are factors in gerbils ending up with demodex infection.

EPILEPTIC SEIZURE DISORDER Stress related  Can begin around 2 months of age Seizures may last from 30 seconds to 2 minutes May see animal “freeze” or twitch.

MALOCCLUSION Continually growing incisiors Provide something for them to chew on If overgrown, need to trim the teeth.