The Mongolian gerbil, a gentle and hardy animal, has become a popular small house pet.
It was first brought from China to Paris in the 19th century, and became a popular house pet.
It was later brought to the United States in 1954 by Dr. Victor Schwentker for use in research.
Selective breeding for the pet trade has resulted in a wide range of different color and pattern varieties.

Mongolian gerbils prefer to live in pairs or groups rather than alone.
They are social and gentle, and do not bite readily.
As diggers and tunnel-makers they are better suited to a tank with a deep substrate or bedding rather than a hamster cage, since the absorbent substrate is liable to be kicked up and out of a cage quickly.

Mongolian gerbils are also chewers and need plenty of cardboard items and chew toys; the cardboard will be chewed up into the bedding and mixed with the substrate.
They do not need fresh food like vegetables and it can actually give them diarrhea; a diet based on one or more seeds, millet and alfalfa pellet mix is sufficient.

Water should be provided with a drip-feed system to prevent an accidental build-up of harmful molds in the tank environment.
Although gerbils are adapted to the desert, they require water to be supplied at all times to be safe and healthy.
Care should be taken not to introduce new smells suddenly into the tank, because the tank is considered by the gerbils to be their territory.
Gerbils are active and appreciate a running or exercise wheel.
Repetitive corner digging can be minimized by providing tunnels while gerbils are in their young, formative months.
As with most animals, they appreciate a secure, private area that is dark for sleeping.

Gerbils are prohibited as pets in some regions for being invasive, including California.
The Mongolian gerbil, a gentle and hardy animal, has become a popular small house pet. It was first brought from China to Paris in the 19th century, and became a popular house pet. It was later brought to the United States in 1954 by Dr. Victor Schwentker for use in research. Selective breeding for the pet trade has resulted in a wide range of different color and pattern varieties.
Mongolian gerbils prefer to live in pairs or groups rather than alone. They are social and gentle, and do not bite readily. As diggers and tunnel-makers they are better suited to a tank with a deep substrate or bedding rather than a hamster cage, since the absorbent substrate is liable to be kicked up and out of a cage quickly.
Mongolian gerbils are also chewers and need plenty of cardboard items and chew toys; the cardboard will be chewed up into the bedding and mixed with the substrate. They do not need fresh food like vegetables and it can actually give them diarrhea; a diet based on one or more seeds, millet and alfalfa pellet mix is sufficient.
Water should be provided with a drip-feed system to prevent an accidental build-up of harmful molds in the tank environment. Although gerbils are adapted to the desert, they require water to be supplied at all times to be safe and healthy. Care should be taken not to introduce new smells suddenly into the tank, because the tank is considered by the gerbils to be their territory. Gerbils are active and appreciate a running or exercise wheel. Repetitive corner digging can be minimized by providing tunnels while gerbils are in their young, formative months. As with most animals, they appreciate a secure, private area that is dark for sleeping.
Gerbils are prohibited as pets in some regions for being invasive, including California.
Mongolian gerbil