Gerbils make great pets, but one drawback is their short lifespan. How long do gerbils live? The oldest pet gerbils live to be five years old, but the average gerbil life span is three years. There are many things a gerbil owner can do to have a gerbil live a long, healthy life.
Gerbil Life Milestones
Gerbil babies spend only 25 to 42 days inside of their mothers. If a female gerbil is nursing another litter, then the babies will be born closer to 42 days then 25. The average gerbil litter size is five. They are born naked, deaf and blind. Baby gerbils can finally hear when they are between three to seven days old. Baby gerbils open their eyes from two to three weeks old. But they can begin crawling out of the burrow when they are only 10 days old.
Gerbils are weaned by the time they are 28 days old. This is when pet gerbils begin to go home to their new owners or to pet stores. Gerbils can begin breeding when they are adults at a mere 12 weeks old. If a female gerbil has been kept in a cage with many other gerbils, chances are high that she will be pregnant.
As gerbil may begin showing signs of old age as early as two years old or may not show them until four. Often, senior gerbils will not groom themselves as often and so do not have shiny coats. They may gain weight and become less active. They are also more prone to catching illnesses, according to Gerbils (T.F.H. Publications; 2007.)
Reducing Stress
There are many things a caring pet owner can do to lengthen a gerbil’s life span. The best way is by reducing stress in the gerbil’s life as much as possible. When gerbils experience stress, their bodies are not as capable of fighting illnesses. Stressors include being kept alone, eating a poor diet, living in a dirty cage and being overbred.
The American Gerbil Society recommends keeping at least two gerbils together. Gerbils are social animals. In the wild, they live in small colonies. The gerbils could take turns watching out for predators. Even after more than 70 years of being pets, gerbils still have not lost the instinct to watch out for danger. Keep two of the same sex together to avoid breeding.
It is essential to clean a gerbil’s cage or aquarium regularly. Urine fumes can promote skin and respiratory problems. Dirty cages also promote the growth of fungus and bacteria that can get a gerbil very sick. Be sure to remove any fresh food treats after 24 hours or it will begin to decay. Remove any stashes of hard food that get wet, smells odd or has begun to sprout. A gerbil cage should not smell foul.
The Importance of Exercise
Out in the wild, gerbils run miles a night in order to gather food. Pet gerbils have not lost this instinct. In order to stay healthy and keep from getting bored, gerbils need exercises that help stimulate their bodies and minds. This also helps to keep them from becoming stressed.
Inexpensive toys for gerbils include the cardboard rolls in toilet tissue or paper towels. Gerbils can hide in them, roll them and chew them. Gerbils also like to tunnel, so be sure to keep as deep a layer of bedding as possible. Gerbils can run on wheels, but the wheels need to have solid floorings. Never use wire-rung wheels.
Another option is the “gerbilarium” where fresh potting soil or sterile sand is placed in a special aquarium just for the gerbils to dig in for about a half-hour every day.
Summary
How long do gerbils live? It depends on how well they are cared for. Always spend at least a few minutes a day observing your gerbils, especially as they play. In this way you can quickly notice any health problems such as tremors, strange growths on the body or reclusive behavior. Call a vet at the first sign of trouble.
Sources
Fox, Sue. Gerbils. T.F.H. Publications; 2007.
American Gerbil Society. Gerbil Care Handbook. http://agsgerbils.org/Learn/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/index.php
Pet Place. “Gerbil Care.” http://www.petplace.com/small-mammals/gerbil-care/page1.aspx