Pet Wiki

Desert digger by trade.

Mongolian Gerbil

Meriones unguiculatus

Also called Mongolian jird, Clawed jird, Pet gerbil

SpeciesDeep profile

From Steppes, grasslands, shrubland and semi-desert of Mongolia, northern China and neighbouring parts of Russia.1

At a glance the quick version

Length11 to 13.5 cm1
Lifespan3 to 4 years2
Sizesmall
Gentle and rarely bites
Active during the day, so fun to watch
Clean with very little odour
12

Coat and looks how to spot one

Short, dense fur; long furred tail

A slim, upright desert rodent with long hind feet made for hopping and digging, and a tail nearly as long as its body (about 9.5 to 12 cm) covered in fur. The wild colour is agouti: warm golden brown with dark ticking over a pale belly. Its kidneys are very water-efficient, so it produces little waste and has hardly any smell.13

ColoursAgoutiArgente creamArgente goldenDark eyed honeyDilute agoutiGrey agoutiPolar foxYellow foxBlackBlueCreamDoveLilacRed foxSlateWhitePied and spotted patternsColorpoint varieties3415

Personality what they are like

Friendly, curious and even-tempered, and seldom bites unless frightened. Gerbils are busy and alert, enjoy the company of their own kind and can become relaxed around people with calm, careful handling.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active in daylight and at dusk with short rests. Needs deep substrate for tunnelling, things to chew and shred, and a solid, axle-free running wheel with a large diameter.126

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keeps itself clean and needs no coat grooming. Remove stale hoarded food daily, provide cardboard, hay and wooden items to gnaw and shred, and handle gently because gerbils can be hurt by rough handling or falls.267

Home where they are happiest

A gerbilarium (glass tank with a secure mesh lid and solid floor) is recommended over barred cages. Aim for around 50 cm of height and 20 to 30 cm of burrowing substrate so they can build tunnel systems. Keep the room at about 20 to 24 C, dry, draught-free and out of direct sun. Offer ink-free paper, cardboard and hay for nesting.6

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A good gerbil pellet or seed mix as the base, topped up with small amounts of fruit and vegetables such as apple, pear, melon, cucumber, carrot, pumpkin and fennel. Pumpkin seeds make good treats; limit sunflower seeds as they are fatty. Fresh water from a bottle at all times. Scatter food to encourage foraging. Avoid grapes and rhubarb.7

Company who they like around

Very social and should never be kept alone. Same-sex pairs or small groups work well, ideally young littermates or an already settled group. New adults should not be added later; if an introduction is needed, use a split-cage method over about a week and watch closely.82

The story where it all began

Western science first learned of the Mongolian gerbil in 1866, when the French missionary and naturalist Father Armand David sent specimens he called 'yellow rats' from northern China to the natural history museum in Paris. Alphonse Milne-Edwards gave the species its formal name the following year. In 1935 twenty wild-caught pairs were taken to Japan, and in 1954 eleven of their descendants went to Dr Victor Schwentker's Tumblebrook Farm in New York for research. From there gerbils reached the American pet market, and after arriving in the United Kingdom in 1964 they quickly became popular pets. Enthusiast societies followed, including the UK's National Gerbil Society in 1970.19

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Gerbils drum their back feet on the ground as an alarm signal to warn the rest of the family.2

  2. 2

    A wild family's home burrow can have 10 to 20 exits, and burrow systems can reach about 1.7 m deep and stretch 6 to 8 m sideways.10

  3. 3

    Their kidneys are adapted to save water, which is why gerbils make very little waste and barely smell.1

  4. 4

    Wild pairs often stay together for life, and fathers help raise the pups.10

  5. 5

    They have no cheek pouches like hamsters, yet they still hoard food in their burrows.2

  6. 6

    The scientific name Meriones unguiculatus loosely means 'clawed femur', not a reference to the Greek warrior Meriones.1

  7. 7

    More than 20 coat colours are known, the most of any gerbil species, thanks to its long history of captive breeding.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List
Wild species assessed as Least Concern1
American Gerbil Society
Publishes exhibition standards for Mongolian gerbil colour varieties (white belly, self, colorpoint and other groups)11
National Gerbil Society (UK)
Founded in 1970 as The National Mongolian Gerbil Society; keeps gerbil show standards and runs exhibitions9

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Mongolian Gerbil. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Hamster and Gerbil Fresh Veggie and Herb Mix

A simple, safe daily supplement that provides essential vitamins, hydration and enrichment for hamsters and gerbils.

You need

  • 1 small piece of carrot (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of broccoli (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of cucumber (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of apple (without seeds, about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small leaf of basil or parsley

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut the carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into pieces no larger than a pea.
  3. Tear the herb leaf into tiny pieces.
  4. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  5. Offer a total of 1.5 to 4.5 teaspoons of this mix per day, depending on the size of your pet.

How much: 1.5 to 4.5 teaspoons per day for hamsters and gerbils

Recipe from Oxbow Animal Health

Rat-Friendly Veggie and Egg Treat

Rats are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet. This treat provides protein and enrichment, and encourages natural foraging behaviour.

You need

  • 1 small slice of carrot (about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small floret of broccoli
  • 1 small slice of cucumber (about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small slice of apple (without seeds, about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small piece of cooked egg (about the size of a pea)

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into small pieces (about 1cm cubes).
  3. Cook an egg until hard-boiled, then cool and peel. Take a small piece about the size of a pea.
  4. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  5. Offer this as part of your rat’s daily food allowance, not in addition to it.

How much: A small amount as part of daily food allowance for rats

Recipe from RSPCA

Small Furries Safe Snack Plate

A selection of safe, low-sugar vegetables and herbs that can be offered as occasional treats to hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice.

You need

  • 1 small piece of carrot (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of broccoli (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of cucumber (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of apple (without seeds, about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small leaf of basil or parsley

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into pieces no larger than a pea.
  3. Tear the herb leaf into tiny pieces.
  4. Arrange on a small plate or scatter in the cage for foraging enrichment.
  5. Offer only in small amounts alongside their regular pelleted food.

How much: A small amount as an occasional treat for hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice

Recipe from Burgess Pet Care

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Mongolian Gerbil?

Feed a good gerbil pellet or seed mix daily, and scatter it to encourage foraging. Small amounts of fresh fruit and veg can be offered a few times a week. Always provide fresh water from a bottle.7 Pet Wiki plan

What should a Mongolian Gerbil eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Base diet is a gerbil pellet or seed mix, plus small amounts of apple, pear, melon, cucumber, carrot, pumpkin or fennel. Pumpkin seeds are fine treats, but limit sunflower seeds. Avoid grapes, rhubarb, and all foods listed in general pet safety guidance such as chocolate, avocado, and onion.712

Should I bathe a Mongolian Gerbil?

No, gerbils keep themselves clean and should not be bathed in water. Instead, offer a sand bath every few days as part of Furry Diary's starting plan, which helps them maintain their coat naturally.2 Pet Wiki plan

Does a Mongolian Gerbil need brushing?

No, their short dense fur needs no brushing. They groom themselves and stay clean with regular sand baths.27

How do I look after a Mongolian Gerbil's nails and teeth?

Provide plenty of wooden items, cardboard, and hay to gnaw and shred, which helps wear down teeth naturally. Nails usually stay short with activity, but if they overgrow, ask a vet for advice. Never attempt trimming yourself without guidance.26 Pet Wiki plan

How much space and exercise does a Mongolian Gerbil need?

A gerbilarium with about 50 cm height and 20-30 cm of deep substrate for tunnelling is ideal. Provide a solid, axle-free running wheel with a large diameter, plus items to chew and shred. They are active in daylight and at dusk.126

Should a Mongolian Gerbil live alone or with friends?

They are very social and should never be kept alone. Same-sex pairs or small groups work well, ideally young littermates. If introducing new adults, use a split-cage method over about a week and watch closely.82

How long does a Mongolian Gerbil live?

They typically live 3 to 4 years with good care.2

Is a Mongolian Gerbil a good pet for children?

Yes, they are friendly, curious, and even-tempered, and seldom bite unless frightened. With calm, careful handling they become relaxed around people, making them suitable for older children who can be gentle.12

How do I hold a Mongolian Gerbil?

Handle gently and calmly, as they can be hurt by rough handling or falls. Cup them in both hands or let them sit on your palm, supporting their body. Always supervise children and handle over a soft surface.27

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

  1. Mongolian gerbil - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, coat, behaviour, history, fun facts
  2. RSPCA - Gerbils rspca.org.ukused for lifespan, natural behaviour, burrow depth, handling
  3. American Gerbil Society - White Belly standards agsgerbils.orgused for colours
  4. American Gerbil Society - Self standards agsgerbils.orgused for colours
  5. agsgerbils.org agsgerbils.org
  6. RSPCA - Gerbil environment rspca.org.ukused for habitat needs
  7. RSPCA - Gerbil diet rspca.org.ukused for diet basics
  8. RSPCA - Gerbil company rspca.org.ukused for social needs
  9. National Gerbil Society gerbils.co.ukused for recognition, history
  10. en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
  11. agsgerbils.org agsgerbils.org
  12. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.