Why Gerbils Are Better Than Hamsters
You may have heard about gerbils and hamsters – both adorable rodents with furry bodies and shiny black eyes. But do you know the differences between them? Do you know why gerbils are considered better than hamsters? If you’re not sure, let me enlighten you. I am someone with years of experience in raising gerbils, and I understand their characteristics and advantages very well. In this article, I will share with you the distinctions between gerbils and hamsters, along with the reasons why gerbils are superior. I hope that after reading this, you’ll have a deeper understanding of gerbils, and perhaps consider having one as your pet.
Differences Between Gerbils and Hamsters
Size: Gerbils are slightly larger than hamsters. Generally, gerbils have a body length of around 15-20 centimeters, while hamsters range from 10-15 centimeters. Gerbils also weigh more, typically between 80-130 grams, compared to hamsters that weigh between 30-100 grams.
Tail: Gerbils have a long tail, approximately half the length of their bodies, with a furry tip. Their tails help them maintain balance and express emotions. Hamsters, on the other hand, have short tails, almost invisible, and lack the agility and expressiveness seen in gerbil tails.
Body Shape: Gerbils have a slender body with long torso and limbs, giving them an elegant and agile appearance. Hamsters, in contrast, have a more rounded body with short, stout torso and limbs, making them look cute and chubby.
Activity Time: Gerbils are diurnal, meaning they are most active in the morning and evening, resting during midday and night. Hamsters, however, are nocturnal, being most active during the night and early morning, sleeping during the day.
Lifespan: Gerbils generally live longer than hamsters. Gerbils can live up to 2-4 years, while hamsters have a lifespan of 2-3 years. Of course, this depends on their living conditions and health; some gerbils and hamsters may live longer or shorter lives.
Social Habits: Gerbils are social animals, forming small family groups in the wild to help and protect each other. They enjoy playing and interacting with companions, using sounds and body language for communication. Hamsters, however, are solitary animals, living alone in the wild and only seeking mates during the breeding season. They are not as fond of playing and interacting with other hamsters, using biting and fighting to assert territory and rights.
Chewing Behavior: Gerbils rarely bite humans, doing so only when they feel frightened or injured. Their teeth are not very sharp, and their bite is not strong, minimizing the risk of significant harm even if they do bite. Hamsters are more prone to biting, sometimes due to unstable emotions or unfamiliar people and situations. Their sharp teeth and strong bite pose a risk of bleeding or infection if they bite.
Why Gerbils Are Better Than Hamsters
From the differences mentioned above, it’s evident that gerbils and hamsters have various characteristics and habits. So, why are gerbils considered better than hamsters? Here are some key reasons:
Daytime Activity and Social Interaction: Gerbils are active during the day, aligning their schedule with humans. This allows for more interaction and playtime during daylight hours without disturbing their sleep. Gerbils are curious and friendly, approaching humans willingly, responding with sounds and body language, creating a more emotionally connected experience. In contrast, hamsters’ nighttime activity makes interaction limited to evenings, and their shyness may hinder them from approaching and responding to humans.
Longer Lifespan for Longer Companionship: Gerbils generally live longer than hamsters, with a lifespan of 2-4 years compared to hamsters’ 2-3 years. This extended lifespan offers more time for building a strong bond with your pet. Over time, gerbils become accustomed to their owner’s voice and scent, adapting to their behavior and habits. Hamsters, with a shorter lifespan, may not provide the same depth of companionship.
Group Living and Higher Observational Skills: Gerbils thrive in group living, showcasing strong interactivity and observational skills. Their acute perception allows them to be more aware of their surroundings, reacting sharply to their owner’s actions and expressions. Group living also adds an interesting dynamic to their care, providing opportunities for observing relationships and behaviors. Hamsters’ solitary nature results in lower interactivity and observational skills, as they show less interest in their environment and less responsiveness to their owner’s actions.
Lower Risk of Biting, Ideal for Children and Beginners: Gerbils seldom bite, doing so only when frightened or injured. Their less sharp teeth and weaker bite make them a safer choice for children and beginners, minimizing the risk of harm and fear. Gerbils are easily tamed and trained, quickly developing trust and a close relationship with their owner. In contrast, hamsters are more prone to biting due to emotional instability or unfamiliarity, posing a higher risk of injury. Their sharp teeth and strong bite may cause bleeding or infection. Hamsters are also less likely to be easily tamed and trained, requiring more time and effort to build trust and intimacy.
Gentle Personality and Trainability: Gerbils exhibit a gentle temperament, rarely showing aggression towards other animals or humans. Their intelligence allows them to learn simple commands through training, adding a fun and challenging aspect to interaction. Gerbils respond positively to training and rewards, expressing joy and satisfaction, and developing a greater dependence and trust in their owner. Hamsters, with a more temperamental personality, may display aggression or attack other animals or humans. Their lower intelligence makes training challenging, as they prefer to act according to their own will and habits. Hamsters may show indifference and boredom towards training, lacking significant dependence and trust in their owner.
In conclusion, gerbils are favored over hamsters due to their daytime activity, longer lifespan, group living tendencies, lower risk of biting, and gentle personality with trainability. These factors make gerbils a more suitable choice for those seeking a delightful and interactive pet experience.
Advantages of Gerbils
Gerbils are smarter and can learn simple commands through training: Gerbils are highly intelligent animals that can be trained to follow simple commands such as sit, stand, and follow. Teaching these commands not only enhances interaction and enjoyment between gerbils and their owners but also boosts their intelligence and skills, promoting overall health and happiness. Gerbils respond positively to training and rewards, expressing joy, satisfaction, and increased reliance on and trust in their owners.
Gerbils are more active, suitable as pets for observation: Gerbils are incredibly active creatures, particularly during daylight hours when they love to run around, play, and explore. Their energy and curiosity make them ideal pets for observation, showcasing various entertaining and adorable actions and expressions. Providing different toys and activities keeps them happy and healthy. Gerbils respond to their owner’s attention and praise, exhibiting confidence, pride, and friendliness.
Gerbils have a lighter scent gland odor, easy to clean and maintain: Gerbils are exceptionally clean animals with a light scent gland odor, preventing the release of strong odors. Regular self-grooming maintains their fur and body cleanliness. This characteristic makes gerbils easy to clean and keep tidy, requiring minimal time and effort. Gerbils also respond to their owner’s cleanliness and care, displaying comfort, reassurance, gratitude, and trust.
Gerbils can be kept in groups, enhancing interactivity: Gerbils are social animals that thrive in groups, forming small family units in the wild where they assist and protect each other. They enjoy playing and interacting with companions, using vocalizations and body language for communication. Their social nature increases their awareness of the environment and responsiveness to their owner’s actions and expressions. Group living adds interest and challenge to their care, allowing observation of relationships and behaviors while providing various toys and activities for their happiness and health.
Gerbils are active during the day, making them suitable for children: Gerbils are excellent pets for children because their activity patterns align with human daylight hours. Playing and interacting with gerbils during the day won’t disturb their sleep. Gerbils are curious and friendly, approaching humans willingly, allowing petting and holding. They respond with sounds and body language, conveying emotions and trust. Gerbils are easily tamed and trained with the right methods and patient attitudes, establishing a quick bond with their owners. They seldom bite and pose little risk, making them ideal for children or beginners, minimizing fear and stress.
Considerations for Gerbil Care
Requires a spacious living area: Gerbils, being highly active, need ample space to run and play. Prepare a cage or box with a minimum size of 60 cm in length, 40 cm in width, and 30 cm in height. Use bedding materials like wood shavings, paper, or cotton for a comfortable sleeping and digging area. Place toys like wheels, tunnels, swings, etc., for entertainment and exercise.
Needs deep bedding to satisfy digging instincts: Gerbils love to dig, so provide deep bedding, at least 10 cm, allowing them to explore freely. Regularly change bedding to maintain cleanliness and dryness, preventing odors and bacteria.
Best kept in pairs or small groups: Gerbils thrive in social settings, so keeping them in pairs or small groups is essential. Opt for same-sex or neutered gerbils to avoid excessive breeding or conflicts. Monitor their interactions, addressing issues like bullying, fighting, or illnesses promptly.
Regular cleaning and disinfection required: While gerbils are naturally clean, their living environment and toys need regular cleaning and disinfection to prevent odors and bacteria. Clean the cage or box at least once a week with warm water and non-toxic cleansers. Change bedding weekly and clean toys with warm water and non-toxic cleansers. Periodically use high-temperature water or steam to disinfect the cage, box, bedding, and toys.
Balanced diet and diverse toys essential: Gerbils require a balanced diet and a variety of toys for a healthy and happy life. Provide specialized gerbil food containing essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fiber. Offer fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds as snacks, avoiding sugary or watery foods to prevent digestive issues. Ensure access to clean water through a hanging water bottle. Provide stimulating toys like wheels, tunnels, swings, and chew toys for physical and mental exercise, satisfying their curiosity and promoting well-being.
Sensitive to comfort during handling, avoid startling: Gerbils are highly sensitive, especially during their early weeks after birth. This period is crucial for their adaptation and trust-building with the owner. Provide ample comfort and care during this time, using gentle tones and actions to accustom them to your touch and presence. Use treats or toys for simple interactions and training, cultivating interest and affection. Avoid any actions that may startle or stress them, such as loud noises or sudden movements, to maintain a positive relationship and trust.
Respect their sleep schedule, avoid excessive disturbance: Gerbils need plenty of sleep, particularly during midday and nighttime hours, totaling 10-12 hours per day. Respect their sleep time by avoiding disruptions such as loud noises, turning on lights, or moving their enclosure. Create a quiet and dark environment during their sleep hours, providing comfortable bedding for a restful sleep.
