Meriones unguiculatus
Mongolian jird

Mongolian gerbils, or Mongolian jirds, occur naturally in the highlands of Inner Mongolia. They are also found in adjacent parts of southern Siberia and northern China, including Sinkiang and Manchuria provinces.

Currently Meriones unguiculatus is a popular housepet and is widely used in research. It can be found worldwide in a variety of locales and environments (Agren et al. 1989).

Mongolian gerbils live in the highlands in Inner Mongolia. Climate in these regions is extreme, temperatures can vary from -40 degrees Celsius in the winter to 50 degrees Celsius in the summer. These areas are characterized by low annual precipitation (less than 230 mm a year) and a long winter (October to April).

Gerbils, or jirds, live in clay or sandy deserts, grasslands, scrub, arid steppes, and mountain valleys.

They live in family groups in small burrows dug into soft soil. Gerbils build burrows near a plant to take advantage of the support of the plant's roots (Agren et al. 1989). M. unguiculatus burrows are characterized by one nest and one to two storerooms, the burrows extend 0.45-0.60 meters underground and average 4cm in diameter.

Mongolian jird body length averages 120 mm long, tail length may range up to 120 mm. The fur is thin, with grey roots, a yellow shaft, and a black tip. Ventral fur is white and their unfurred claws reveal their pink/white skin.

Males are slightly larger than females, with males averaging 60 grams and females averaging 50-55 grams (van Veen 1999).

Mongolian gerbils have some interesting behaviors. Each family group of gerbils seems to be led by an alpha male that is larger than the rest. Family and territory size (anywhere from 325 to 1550 square meters) seems to be dependent on alpha male size. There are 2-3 times more females than males in any family but family size rarely exceeds 20 animals.

Gerbils spend much of their time foraging. They also become inactive during the hottest and coldest part of the day to conserve energy. Activity levels also decrease during the coldest and warmest parts of the year. This behavior seems to be innate as even domesticated gerbils show signs of inactivity during the hottest and coldest parts of the year and day.

Gerbils sandbathe to maintain pelage health, especially to remove excess oil. Oils in the fur help to absorb sunlight and regulate body temperature.

Mating behavior is characterized by the male chasing a female while stomping his feet. Females allow mating after a period of courtship (van Veen 1999). Foot stomping is also used to warn other gerbils of danger (Ehrenstein and Bruckmann 1998).

Mongolian gerbils feed mainly on mugwort (Artemisia sieversiana and A. commutata). Saltwort (Salsola collina), bristle grass (Setaria viridis), and lyme grass (Leymus chinensis) are also eaten.

Gerbils conserve both water and fat extremely well. They conserve water by producing a highly concentrated urine and dry feces.

Captive mongolian gerbils eat a wide variety of foods, including grains, grasses, and some fruits and vegetables. (Agren et al. 1989)

Mongolian gerbils are not extensive agricultural pests. Escaped captive gerbils may become established in new areas and pose a threat to native wildlife through competition and disease introduction. Gerbils, similar to other rodents, may serve as disease vectors.

(Agren et al. 1989)

Mongolian gerbils are useful research animals and have become very popular in the pet trade. They are easy to take care of, get along well with other gerbils (when introduced to each other early), require very little maintenance, and are tremendously cute and fun to play with. The first documented pet Mongolian gerbil lived in the United Kingdom in 1961. (van Veen 1999).

Mongolian gerbil populations are stable.

Gerbils are tremendously intelligent animals, both in their natural environments and in captivity. Their adaptations to their harsh natural enviroments makes them suited for living in many parts of the world.