Pale gerbil
| Pallid gerbil | |
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| Species: | G. perpallidus
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| Binomial name | |
| Gerbillus perpallidus Setzer, 1958
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The pallid gerbil, Gerbillus perpallidus is distributed mainly in northwestern Egypt.
Pallid gerbils as pets
The pallid gerbils, usually shortened to pallid by enthusiasts, is recommended as a good second species for those with experience of keeping Mongolian gerbils. This is a shortened version of an article written for the GerbilsShowsUK website.
Pallid gerbils are a species of gerbil from North Africa, they are slightly smaller than the Mongolian gerbil (the well known pet shop gerbil), with a slender appearance, slightly protruding eyes, and have a friendly disposition and are easy to care for. They have a light orange upper coat and white belly, white around the eyes, long feet and a tail longer than the body. The tail is barely furred and the ears are naked. The eyes are dark and stand out from the head, much larger in proportion to the head than Mongolians.
Lifespan
2–4 years when proper conditions are met(similar to Mongolian gerbils).
Care
A tank, glass or plastic, is the best home for Pallids. For bedding they can be kept on the same bedding as Mongolian gerbils, usually wood based products like woodshavings, hemp etc. They must have regular access to sand for bathing - otherwise they will care for themselves. They do not need any special care as far as their living condition are properly supervised.
Feeding
A standard gerbil mix with added protein is needed, clean drinking water should be available at all times. The water should be changed approximately three - four times in week. Depending on the size of the rations, Pallid should be fed every day - just like ordinary Gerbils.
Handling
Pallids rarely keep still when being handled. They have excellent balance and will be happiest if allowed to climb over the handler. Do be careful as falls can cause severe, even fatal, injury. Pallids should be scooped up from underneath, by placing hands on either side and under the animal.
Behaviour
Pallids are social animals and happiest in groups or pairs. Grooming, sleeping together, and playing together are all essential to pallid welfare. So is squabbling. Pallids will chase and box each other, especially after meals. Although especially males are known to get into fights more often than females. Sometimes they should be separated, otherwise their fight may have fatal outcome.
Health
Pallids do react very badly to any form of injections, and can quickly go into shock or die as a result. Not all vets are aware of this, so it is often wise to point this out on any vet visits.
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern