Difference Between Gerbil And Mouse

Two species that we confuse thinking similar are gerbils and mice. They both are rodents. That’s why they look the same to some extent. But we need to specify them based on their differences.

The most visible difference between gerbils and mice is their tail. You will see a gerbil’s tail has many hairs, but a mouse’s hair does not. Actually, a mouse’s tail also has hairs, but they are not very apparent. Another thing you can spot is gerbils are a bit larger than mice.

Well, many differences need to be discussed. This article will tell you about it.

Keep reading!

Difference Between Gerbil Vs Mouse (Basic Difference Explained)

We all are familiar with mice. But some of us don’t know what the gerbil actually is. Well, it is also a rodent, like mice and rats. In fact, gerbils tend to be better animals than mice as they have a longer lifespan and enjoy human company.

This is not where the differences between a gerbil and a mouse end. You will get to know more about the differences between these two species. The traits below will help you learn about them.

Now, let us not beat around the bush anymore and get to the points straight.

What Type of Animals Are Mice And Gerbils?

Gerbils are considered diurnal animals. This means that they are more active during the daytime and inactive during the nighttime.

In this term, mice are the opposite of gerbils. They are nocturnal animals. This means that mice remain active during the nighttime and inactive during the daytime.

How Different Are Mice And Gerbils In Physical Appearance?

Well, there are lots of differences between Gerbil and Mouse’s physical appearance.

The Difference In Color;

Let us start with the color of mice and gerbils. Mice have a deep brown color with some hints of red and orange. Whereas gerbils have a sandy color, which is also known as golden agouti. There are a few gerbils that can look piebald, stale gray, or dark brown.

The Difference In Ears;

If you see, the ears of mice are framed, significant, and rounded. You can say the size of a mouse is half of its head size. On the other hand, a gerbil’s ear is not so big but more significant than its eyes. Like mice, gerbils also have rounded eyes.

The Difference In The Nose;

Another thing that can differentiate a gerbil from a mouse is their nose. A gerbil’s nose is vast, and there is fur in the surrounding area. Its color is light. A mouse’s color is also the same as a gerbil’s nose color. But its nose is a bit smaller than a gerbil’s nose.

The Difference In Size;

The tails of a mouse and a gerbil are almost the same size. But yes, a gerbil’s tail is a bit thicker than a mouse’s tail. Another thing you can notice is the fur of a gerbil’s tail is visible, but the fur of a mouse’s tail is not so visible.

What Is The Strength of A Gerbil And A Mouse?

The biggest strength of a gerbil is its eyes. They are very active in spotting their predators. On the other hand, mice rely on their ears for survival. Since they live in dark places, they hear their predators and escape from them.

Where Do Gerbils And Mice Live?

Gerbils live in wide-open places like grasslands where there are hardly any trees. Besides, they live in caves in a group. Their burrows have chambers and tunnels. In straightforward words, the burrows of gerbils are complex.

Contrastingly, mice live in dark places and forest areas. They also live in caves like gerbils. But their building system of caves is simple.

Why Do Gerbils And Mice Build Burrows?

We now know that both gerbils and mice build burrows. But do you know their purpose? Well, gerbils make burrows for sleeping and nesting. Meanwhile, mice make burrows to escape from their predators.

What Is The Difference Between A Gerbil’s Behaviour And A Mouse’s Behaviour?

The first thing to be noticed in a gerbil’s posture is it lives in groups. You can refer to it as the social hierarchy. There always remains a dominant pair in a group of gerbils, and all of them have to follow that pair.

Mice do not live like gerbils completely. They live in a linear hierarchy. Besides, they do not interact with each other that much.

What Is The Lifespan of A Gerbil And A Mouse?

The lifespan of a mouse is short, i.e., 1 to 3 years. On the other hand, gerbils have a long period. They can live up to 4 years.

What Are The Breeding Characteristics of A Mouse And A Gerbil?

When it comes to breeding, gerbils and mice, have different gestation periods. It is 24 days for gerbils and 21 days for mice. Again, gerbils can produce eight pups per litter, and mice can produce twelve pups per litter.

Final Thoughts

So this was all about the difference between a gerbil and a mouse. It would be great if we could discuss the whole abstract again in detail. So, we know gerbils are more active than mice. Again, mice are cleaner than gerbils, whereas gerbils are more friendly than mice.

But did you know that gerbils sometimes kill mice to save their territory? Moreover, gerbils are more aggressive than mice, and these two species can never live together. Hopefully, the above concept will give you a better idea of mice and gerbils.

Thank you.