How Are Hamsters & Gerbils Different?
Gerbils and hamsters are both small, omnivorous burrowing rodents. Their behavior, however, is in some ways very different. Gerbils are social animals and hamsters are solitary. Hamsters are mainly nocturnal, while gerbils are often active in the day. On first glance they both might look like slightly overgrown mice, but there are also plenty of striking physical differences between the two.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Look at the animal's face. Both gerbils and hamsters have blunt faces, but gerbils have larger, more noticeable eyes.
-
2
Look at the animal's tail. Gerbils have long furry tails while hamsters have short stubby ones.
-
-
3
Look at the shape of the animal. Gerbils look a little like miniature kangaroos, with hind legs much larger than the front legs
-
4
Observe what the animal does with food. Hamsters have cheek pouches, which they stuff with food to carry to their nests. Gerbils don't.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If the animal has a long tail with little or no fur and a pointed face, it is neither a hamster nor a gerbil. It is probably a mouse or a baby rat. Any animal larger than the palm of your hand belongs to a larger species. It might be a degu, a chinchilla, a guinea pig or a rat.
If you are getting a pet, get at least two if the animals are gerbils and make sure they are the same gender. Syrian hamsters must be kept singly after they mature. Dwarf hamsters are social however, and should be kept in pairs or small groups of the same gender. The nutritional needs of hamsters and gerbils are similar. They need a high quality gerbil or hamster mix supplemented with fresh vegetables and hay.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Lifesize/Getty Images
