What Are Relatives of Gerbils?

Gerbils are small rodents that exist in the wild and are kept in cages as pets in North America. At around the size of a mouse, gerbils have short hair and large eyes. Gerbils offer a low-maintenance and low-cost option for those wanting the companionship of a pet without the hassle of a dog or cat. As rodents, gerbils have plenty of relatives that are seen on a regular basis, many of which are also kept as pets.

  1. Mice and Rats

    • While mice and rats sometimes get the pet treatment of gerbils, they are more often considered pests. Rats are about twice as big as mice and both species have hairless tails. Types of mice include deer mice, which have the same light brown and white colors as a deer. House mice are light gray or brown, while white-footed mice have darker bodies and white feet and bellies. Rats are typically brown, gray or black.

    Hamsters

    • Hamsters are small, playful rodents often kept as pets. They have chubby cheeks and come in a ton of different colors. Hamsters eat seeds, vegetation and insects. When feeding your hamster, make sure to give them vitamins and salt to increase their lifespan and enhance their diet. Chinese hamsters have shorter hair than Russian and North American varieties, while dwarf hamsters are considerably smaller versions with fur that changes color year-round.

    Guinea Pigs

    • Guinea pigs grow larger than mice, rats or hamsters and have fur that ranges from very short to long enough that it must be cut every now and then. Guinea pigs also eat grass and hay. They need vitamin supplements added to their water to stay in good health. They can live as long as seven years and they make a variety of unique noises depending on their mood and hunger.

    Uncommon Relatives

    • Gerbils are also related to less common rodents that are not usually kept as pets. The capybara is a South American rodent that stands as the largest in the world. They can grow in excess of 100 pounds. They eat only vegetation and spend plenty of time in the water. Muskrats are large rodents that spend a lot of time in the water and swim very well. Muskrats eat plants and small creatures such as frogs and insects.