The Mongolian Gerbil, also called a jird and originally recognized as the ‘desert rat’, is a small rodent with the scientific name Meriones unguiculatus. It’s adapted to a desert environment, having fur on its entire body, including the tail, to protect itself from the sun.
The Mongolian Gerbil has also adapted for safety, possessing the ability to shed its tail if a predator latches on. This act of survival is important as the Mongolian Gerbil’s tail is approximately as long as its body. It is both a tunnel maker and a considerable chewer, having teeth that grow all the time (a trait shared by all rodents).
Mongolian Gerbils have a height of 2.2”-2.7” (5.6-6.8 cm), body length between 4.5”-5.7” (11.5-14.5 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 2-4.6 oz (60-130 g). The tail length of a Mongolian Gerbil is 3.5”-4.7” (9-12 cm). Mongolian Gerbils have a typical lifespan of 2-3 years in the wild and 3-5 years when raised in captivity.
The Mongolian Gerbil, also called a jird and originally recognized as the ‘desert rat’, is a small rodent with the scientific name Meriones unguiculatus. It’s adapted to a desert environment, having fur on its entire body, including the tail, to protect itself from the sun.
The Mongolian Gerbil has also adapted for safety, possessing the ability to shed its tail if a predator latches on. This act of survival is important as the Mongolian Gerbil’s tail is approximately as long as its body. It is both a tunnel maker and a considerable chewer, having teeth that grow all the time (a trait shared by all rodents).
Mongolian Gerbils have a height of 2.2”-2.7” (5.6-6.8 cm), body length between 4.5”-5.7” (11.5-14.5 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 2-4.6 oz (60-130 g). The tail length of a Mongolian Gerbil is 3.5”-4.7” (9-12 cm). Mongolian Gerbils have a typical lifespan of 2-3 years in the wild and 3-5 years when raised in captivity.