How long can gerbils live

However, their needs are actually very complex, so owning one is a big responsibility. If you own or are responsible for gerbils, even for a short time, make sure you care for all their needs.

Find out everything you need to know about keeping pet gerbils in our series of handy guides, including their environment , diet , behaviour , company and health and welfare. Share this According to Animal Diversity Web the average lifespan in the wild is around 3 and 4 months.

A few studies have been conducted to determine the lifespan of the Mongolian gerbil. A study from determined a mean lifespan of weeks for male gerbils and weeks for female gerbils. The oldest male gerbil was weeks and the oldest female gerbil in the study was weeks. Longevity records from indicated a life expectancy of 2 years.

So the lifespan of a captive or pet gerbil is a lot longer than that of wild gerbils. Nowadays, Mongolian gerbils usually will live between 2 and 5 years, with an average of 3 years.

But the main dangers in captivity that might lead to a short lifespan are improper care and a bad diet. Genetic predisposition to certain health issues is one of the main factors that determine the lifespan of any animal, including your gerbil. Gerbils are known to be prone to certain health issues and diseases. Gerbils are known to be able to get seizures that are mainly caused by loud noises or stress. When you see your gerbil trembling or severely shaking this is caused by a seizure.

Seizures can occur in gerbils from a very young age around two months but they will usually diminish when your gerbil gets older. Just as humans, gerbils can also develop cancers and some of them are possibly inherited. There are some more frequent types of cancers like skin cancer and cancer of the ovaries or the ventral scent gland.

Such cancers can be noticed by lumps and swellings and you should seek the help of a vet for further treatment. To live a healthy and long life your gerbil will need:. Always find out this information before traveling. Mounting is a common gerbil behavior. However, you may be surprised or confused when you see same-sex mounting in gerbils and wonder whether this is common.

Female gerbils mount other…. These mechanisms enable them to survive in the wild during the summer months. But in captivity, you need to take…. Gerbils are highly active animals. During their waking hours, they are full of energy and can make a lot of noise.

Gerbils are warm-blooded mammals, and produce their own body heat like us. Also, like humans, they can get cold in the winter. Low body temperatures can lead to health issues. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse,…. This website is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Even though owning a gerbil has become so popular that it makes you want to check it out , their lifespan has always been a question. Out in the wilderness, they seldom live for more than two years but pet gerbils can live for up to five years, with some distinct species even going up to eight.

Gerbils have become one of the more popular types of household pets around the world due to their peaceful, non-demanding nature and easy-going way of life. Just like hamsters, they are small, inexpensive and none-to-intrusive to have around the house so they are the perfect companion for people who just want somebody to be there when they get home.

When it comes to their origins, they are actually burrowing rodents from places like Africa and Asia. While there are several breeds of gerbils in the world, most of the pet ones come from the Mongolian gerbil subspecies. Even though, as we said, more and more people have started to enjoy them as household companions, there is an argument to be made due to the fact that they are not always ideal for young children. They are fairly small rodents with long, furry tails that have an easily-distinguishable tuft of fur at the end of them, even though you should never pick up a gerbil by its tail if you care for it at all.

However, like with any species, there are also certain specialized breeders who try to engage in a selective breeding process and obtain certain colors. Therefore, you may find gerbils in several lovely colors such as white, black, and gold.