The Mongolian gerbil, the species most often sold as a pet, weighs between 4 and 5 ounces and grows to be just under 6 inches long. In the wild, the Mongolian gerbil is golden brown with black ticked fur, a pattern called "agouti." Its pale tan belly gives it another name: white-bellied agouti. Other colors include gray agouti (also called chinchilla), pink-eyed white (not a true albino as the fur may have a few dark hairs), black patched, black, argente (also called cinnamon and golden), lilac (light gray), dove (a pale version of lilac), blue, chocolate, Himalayan (also called darktailed white) and cream.

From time to time, species other than the Mongolian are available, though they may cost more. The Egyptian gerbil is similar to the Mongolian species but is much smaller and lacks the bushy tuft at the tip of its tail. The Indian gerbil has no fur on the pads of its feet, explaining why it is also called the pink-footed gerbil. A larger species of gerbil, the Libyan, resembles the Mongolian in coloration and is also known as a jird. With good care, most gerbil species can live between four and five years.

Author(s): Marian Bray

Critters Home Page: Critter Collection: Gerbil

©Copyright 1999, Fancy Publications, Inc. All rights Reserved.