Lesser Egyptian/Pallid gerbils

[Ceretrea]

This species is new to me. Prior to them, my experience with any gerbil species has been from a rescue aspect and usually dealing with raising accidental litters and helping people sex/split them appropriately.

I first spotted these at a show in Harrogate early this year and really fell for them. I found a local breeder had a pair and here they are! I wasn't expecting to dive straight into breeding them just yet and have since split them up. They weren't getting on in any case so there's been no pups. I'm hoping to reintroduce them once I'm comfortable with their food, housing etc

They are a delightful pair to own. As pets (I haven't shown any gerbils yet myself) they are incredibly friendly and will pop right out to sit on my hand, say hello and steal their dinner before I even put it in the cage! The female, Nut, is the smaller of the two and is now in a smaller tank to see if she puts some weight on. So far so good and she's starting to look a healthier weight now.
Shu is the male and he's in a 75cm long gerbilarium in an effort for him to shed some weight! I've a feeling they've had a subtle bullying type relationship that largely involved him getting most of the food. He seems quite territorial with her which I wasn't expecting. But they did cuddle and nest together despite that. Both seem happy on their own but ideally I'd like for them not to be lonely.

They chew cardboard like any good gerbil should but don't seem interested in a wheel. They aren't overly active although they do a little bit of everything through the day. Dig a bit, sleep a bit, eat a bit (or a lot for Shu!). I found their coats to be greasy and open even when they've rolled in sand but I've not had enough experience yet to know if this is true of the species as a whole or just my two.

Loving learning all about them and their ways. We call them the 'anime' gerbils because of their big eyes.

Nut


Shu

[cypher]

New to me too & absolutely gorgeous, the eyes are amazing, I think I just fell in love with another species lol!

[freyashamsters]

I never knew these existed, until now I thought you could keep only Mongolian gerbils as pets! Their coats and colourings are absolutely beautiful and their big eyes are amazing

[Ceretrea]

Aha, more anme converts! They are about the same size as mongolians so need a similar set up.
Cypher is going to have a problem fitting in all those robos, Chinese and gerbils heehee

Freya, I think the nicest thing is they don't yet have al these different colours. Like you, I think their wild colouring is beautiful

[cypher]

lol! yes, I need to move to a bigger house or I could live in the garden & let all the animals have the house
You have to add a duprasi to that list too, Vectis fault!

[Ceretrea]

Originally Posted by cypher

lol! yes, I need to move to a bigger house or I could live in the garden & let all the animals have the house
You have to add a duprasi to that list too, Vectis fault!

[DrKMcK]

Originally Posted by Ceretrea

Like you, I think their wild colouring is beautiful

When I first got gerbils in 1962, they were only to be found in the wild color too. Over the years they have developed so many different colors, patterns and coat styles. These will too over time. I cannot believe those eyes!

[Ceretrea]

Wow I bet you've seen a lot of a changes in that time. Are gerbils popular in the US?

[DrKMcK]

Originally Posted by Ceretrea

Wow I bet you've seen a lot of a changes in that time. Are gerbils popular in the US?

Oh yes. They are about even with hamsters here. One of the things I always loved about them is that they are active in the daytime. They seem to bite less than hamsters and are curious and bold little furries. I've also found that they aren't as prone to walking off beds and tables the way a hammy will. Their sight is better. Just about any place I see hamsters being sold, there will be gerbils too.

[flowerfairy]

Ooo lovely. What little sweeties.