Gerbil care tools and calculators
This page brings together every XpertsPet tool for gerbils: 29 in all, across 15 topics including age, behavior, breeding, cost, grooming and health. Pick a topic above to see its tools, or read on for a quick guide to what each group does and where to start.
Gerbils at a glance
A healthy gerbil usually lives 3 to 4 years, so the care decisions you make now play out over a long time. Gerbils are omnivores, which shapes what you feed and how much. Most adults weigh around 60-130 g. They mature quickly, at around 3 months.
Gerbils are desert animals that burrow constantly, so they need at least 25cm of deep substrate in a tank rather than a shallow cage. They should be kept in same-sex pairs and produce very little odor.
The health problems vets see most often in gerbils include tail slip from being handled by the tail, scent gland tumours, epileptic-type seizures in some lines and dental overgrowth.
Gestation in gerbils runs about 24 to 26 days.
Gerbil quick facts
| Measure | Gerbil |
|---|---|
| Typical lifespan | 3–4 years |
| Adult weight | 2.1–4.6 oz (60–130 g) |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Mature at | About 3 months |
| Pregnancy | 24–26 days |
| Litter size | 4–6 |
| Humidity | 40–60% |
Where to start
- Thinking about getting a gerbil? Start with the adoption tools to see what you are signing up for.
- Setting up a home? The housing calculators size the space and work out how much bedding or substrate you need.
- Unsure about feeding? The nutrition tools give a daily amount you can adjust as you go.
- Raising a young gerbil? Use the weight and growth tools to check it is on track.
- Caring for an older gerbil? The age tools show its life stage and what usually changes next.
Other small & companion mammals
If you keep more than one kind of animal, there are tools for dog, cat, rabbit and hamster. You can also browse every pet on XpertsPet.