     
|
The Gerbil's Natural
Diet
In their
natural habitat gerbils eat a wind-blown seeds, grain, grasses, stalks and roots. Like the
hamster, it is often assumed that the gerbil is a herbivore, however, they are indeed
omnivores, and supplement their diet with insects and grubs.
Special Needs of Gerbils
NEED |
DETAILS |
Nutritonal deficiencies |
Nutritional deficiencies in
gerbils appear to be quite rare. Unlike their other rodent counterparts e.g. guinea pig
and hamster, they do not appear to be affected by vitamin deficiencies. The practice of
coprophagy tends only to be observed when the diet is really deficient in some nutrient. |
Protein |
Similar to other rodents, gerbils have fairly
high protein requirements (16%). They differ in that they are not coprophagic, and hence
do not derive benefit from the microbial protein and other nutrients from faecal material.
Apparently gerbils are sensitive to levels of valine and choline in their diet, and
arginine and taurine are also required. It is interesting to note that the domestic cat,
an obligate carnivore is also dependent on the last amino acid. This may provide some
explanation as to the gerbil’s omnivorous nature, deriving an amino acid from meat
that is otherwise lacking in vegetables. |
Obesity |
There is some discrepancy
between the requirements of fat for gerbils. Figures of 4% and of 12% have been noted.
Certainly at elevated fat levels growth and reproductive performance tend to be enhanced.
However, levels of 12% during maintenance may predispose the gerbil to obesity, which may
lead to infertility problems later on. Like hamsters, their plasma cholesterol levels
respond to increases in dietary fat and cholesterol, and excess cholesterol can be
deposited around the body, but in the organs as opposed to arteries. |
Carbohydrates |
The stomach of the gerbil is simple and the caecum
and colon are not particularly well developed, indicating that gerbils are better adapted
to diets with low fibre levels. |
Gnawing |
Incisor overgrowth is a common
occurrence in gerbils. Whilst some cases can be attributed to genetics, others can be
associated with inappropriate feeding. Either food that can be gnawed e.g. nuts, hard
biscuits, or wood must be provided to keep their continually growing teeth in trim. In
restricted conditions, with little stimulation in the cage, a gnawing block may alleviate
boredom, which ordinarily can lead to divisive behaviour such as self-mutilation,
cannibalism and infanticide. |
|
