Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Short answers

Mongolian gerbil: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 120×50×50 cm (bmt leaflet 'Gerbils as pets' 2025, aquarium with breathable cover; TVT per a gerbil guide 100×50×50 cm for at most 6 animals; Swiss law at least 0.5 m² for 2–5 animals). Because the bedding should be 30–40 cm deep, a taller tank or a mesh top is needed so space remains above it. Furnishing: buried houses of clay or wood, cork tubes, levels of wood/stone (no mesh, no plastic), sand bath, running wheel of at least 30 cm diameter with a solid running surface.

Mongolian gerbil: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C room temperature; gerbils like to sunbathe, so one corner may get some sun for a few hours a day – but never the whole tank (risk of heatstroke)., at night A slight drop at night is fine; not below about 15 °C.

Mongolian gerbil: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not needed – daylight in the room is enough; use flicker-free lighting.

Mongolian gerbil: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: Usually 3–4 years, up to about 5 years.

Mongolian gerbil: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C room temperature; gerbils like to sunbathe, so one corner may get some sun for a few hours a day – but never the whole tank (risk of heatstroke).

Night temperature

A slight drop at night is fine; not below about 15 °C.

Humidity

30–50 % (dry room air; remove damp bedding immediately)

UVB

Not needed – daylight in the room is enough; use flicker-free lighting.

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120×50×50 cm (bmt leaflet 'Gerbils as pets' 2025, aquarium with breathable cover; TVT per a gerbil guide 100×50×50 cm for at most 6 animals; Swiss law at least 0.5 m² for 2–5 animals). Because the bedding should be 30–40 cm deep, a taller tank or a mesh top is needed so space remains above it. Furnishing: buried houses of clay or wood, cork tubes, levels of wood/stone (no mesh, no plastic), sand bath, running wheel of at least 30 cm diameter with a solid running surface.

Substrate

30–40 cm of diggable bedding (TBB Switzerland: at least 40 cm; bmt: at least 30 cm), one third each of dust-extracted wood shavings, hay and straw so stable tunnels form. Bedding that is too shallow leads to constant digging in the corners.

Feeding

Food

Low-fat mix of small seeds (e.g. budgie or gerbil food), plus grasses, herbs, millet and sprouts; always offer hay. Animal protein once a week (feeder insects, hard-boiled egg, a little dry cat food). Feed hardly any fruit or sweet vegetables, as gerbils are prone to diabetes. Fresh hazel, birch or fruit-tree twigs for gnawing.

Feeding interval

Once a day; scatter seeds in the bedding. Food and water bowls on a stable platform above the bedding.

Key facts

Adult size

Head-body 10–13 cm, tail 9–11 cm with a tuft; females 70–100 g, males 80–130 g.

Life expectancy

Usually 3–4 years, up to about 5 years.

Origin

Steppes, semi-deserts and grassland of Mongolia, northern China and southern Siberia. All pet and laboratory animals go back to a few wild-caught animals from 1935.

Protection status

Not protected: not on the EU invasive species list, not in the German BArtSchV, the EU wildlife trade regulation or CITES. Keeping is allowed without papers; in Switzerland keeping a single gerbil is prohibited.

Brumation

None – gerbils do not hibernate even in the wild.

Cohabitation

Pair. Least stressful are two animals of the same sex, ideally littermates (bmt); groups of up to 4–6 only with plenty of space and experience, male groups are usually more peaceful. Never simply put unfamiliar animals together – it can be fatal; even a few days apart can break up a group. Avoid mixed pairs (neutering is risky).

Notes

Never grab them by the tail: the tail skin comes off and does not regrow; the rest then has to be amputated. Buying animals with more than 80 % white, curly-coated or hairless animals is discouraged as torture breeding. Gerbils are also bred as feeder animals. Only feed live vertebrates if the animal refuses dead food – frozen food is less stressful for both. Killing only by competent persons (§ 4 German Animal Welfare Act).

Do you keep this species?

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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×50×50 cm (bmt leaflet 'Gerbils as pets' 2025, aquarium with breathable cover; TVT per a gerbil guide 100×50×50 cm for at most 6 animals; Swiss law at least 0.5 m² for 2–5 animals). Because the bedding should be 30–40 cm deep, a taller tank or a mesh top is needed so space remains above it. Furnishing: buried houses of clay or wood, cork tubes, levels of wood/stone (no mesh, no plastic), sand bath, running wheel of at least 30 cm diameter with a solid running surface.), substrate (30–40 cm of diggable bedding (TBB Switzerland: at least 40 cm; bmt: at least 30 cm), one third each of dust-extracted wood shavings, hay and straw so stable tunnels form. Bedding that is too shallow leads to constant digging in the corners.), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.