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For centuries, hamsters and gerbils have been kept as pets and have grown in popularity so that they are now among the most popular pets. You will be easily forgiven for thinking that there isn’t much of a difference between the two. After all, they are both small and come in different colors.
But how different are they? Well, for starters, there are a few notable differences in their features. But that’s not all, they even have a temperament, and one prefers to live in groups, and the other does not. Here we dive into their differences and learn how to easily identify them.
Gerbil versus hamster
Currently, there are about 20 species of hamsters and over 100 species of gerbils. However, although there are so many species of gerbils, only two of them are kept as pets – the Mongolian gerbil and the thick-tailed gerbil.
It is very easy to confuse hamsters and gerbils, especially since there are some differences between the individual species. Despite this, there are still a few differences.
Check out the table below for some of the easiest ways to tell hamsters from gerbils.
Gerbil | Hamster | |
The size | Average 4 inches | Average 2 to 4 inches |
Tail | Long, approximately 4 inches | Short and short, usually less than 1 inch |
Face | Long and narrow | Round and wide |
Body | Long and slender, long hind legs | Short and narrow, short legs |
Cheek pouches | No | Yes |
Nocturnal lifestyle | No | Yes |
Social habit | Prefers to live in pairs or groups. | Most choose to live alone |
Temperament | Curious and dexterous | Obedient and easy to handle |
4 main differences between hamsters and gerbils
Hamster vs. Gerbil: Tail
One of the most noticeable differences between hamsters and gerbils is their tails. Gerbils have a long tail about 4 inches or about the same length as their body. Some gerbils have hairy tails and some have hairless tails. Mongolian gerbils have hairy tails, while fat-tailed gerbils have bald tails. As the name suggests, thick-tailed gerbils also have a noticeably thicker tail than other gerbils, making them easy to spot.
Hamsters are completely different from gerbils: they have very short tails, short and short, and usually less than one inch in length. The exception to the rule is the Chinese hamster, which has a long tail about the same length as its body.
Hamster vs Gerbils: Face
Hamsters have a round face with a short blunt nose and characteristic cheek pouches. These pouches are pockets that can stretch up to your shoulders and are used to store food and carry it from place to place. In the wild, hamsters use their pouches to carry food back to the nest.
Gerbils have a narrow face and a long nose that looks more like a rat’s face than a hamster’s. They also lack the cheek pouches that hamsters are famous for. However, despite the fact that they do not have cheek pouches to store food, gerbils are known to still bring food back to their nesting site.
Hamster vs Gerbils: Body
Gerbils have long, thin bodies and are often described as streamlined in body shape. They also have long, powerful hind legs and large legs, which means they are extremely mobile. Therefore, it is not unusual for a gerbil to jump and generally be quite acrobatic.
Like their faces, hamsters have short and round bodies, often giving them the appearance of a pretty ball of fluff. Hamsters also have short legs, which means they are not as mobile as gerbils.
Hamster vs gerbils: temperament
One of the key differences between hamsters and gerbils is the difference in temperament and social habits. Hamsters are nocturnal and most active at night. They are also lonely animals and do not like to share their space with others, so as pets they are usually kept alone. Hamsters are known to fight to the death when others invade their territory. However, despite their territorial affiliation with other hamsters, they are usually quite obedient. In relation to people, they are usually very good-natured, although sometimes they can bite, especially when they are surprised or looking for something edible.
On the other hand, gerbils are usually most active during daylight hours and live happily in pairs or groups. They have a curious and friendly disposition, they are very sociable animals and are also constantly active. They are usually very good-natured towards people and do not tend to bite, even when they are being treated.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are hamsters and gerbils rodents?
Yes, both hamsters and gerbils are rodents. However, they are from different family groups. Hamsters from the family Cricetidae These include voles, lemmings, and muskrats. Gerbils from the family Murids which is the largest family of both rodents and mammals and includes many species of rats and mice.
Do hamsters and gerbils dive?
Yes, both hamsters and gerbils love to burrow and are experts at creating complex tunnel networks.
Where are gerbils in the wild?
Gerbils live in deserts and dry shrubs in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Mongolian gerbils, which are popular as pets, are native to Mongolia.
Are hamsters still in the wild?
Yes, although hamsters are popular pets, they are still found in the wild today. They mainly inhabit dry deserts and sand dunes and are found in many places including Africa, Asia and Europe.
Are hamsters endangered?
Yes, some species of hamsters are endangered today, for example the European hamster, which is endangered and is the rarest hamster in the wild.
Are gerbils endangered?
Yes, some gerbils are still endangered. The main gerbil is an endangered species from Sudan with fewer than 250 animals.
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