Gerbils vs Rats: Species Overview & Comparison

Gerbils and rats look very similar, but they are quite different. When comparing gerbils and rats, what characteristics do they have in common, and how are they different from each other?

Gerbils are small rodents with short tails and are more energetic than rats. Rats are larger and have long tails and are usually more sociable and intelligent than gerbils. Rats enjoy climbing in their enclosures, while gerbils are not good climbers but love to tunnel in their cages.

What makes gerbils different from rats as a species? What should pet owners know in order to best care for their furry friends? Let’s go over how rats and gerbils are different.

Physical Appearance

Rats

Rats are larger and have longer tails than gerbils. The most popular rat species that pet owners get is the Brown Rat. Rat fur can vary in color and pattern.

Gerbils

Gerbils are smaller than rats and have very short tails. Most pet owners will buy a Mongolian Gerbil, as they have good temperaments for pet ownership. The pelts of gerbils can also vary.

Temperament

Rats

Rats tend to have more aggressive and less easy-to-tame personalities when compared to gerbils. Temperament-wise, rats can be trained to do a variety of tricks. They are very social animals, so pet owners should get more than one rat for the well-being of their pet unless they intend on interacting with their pet every day for a good amount of time.

Gerbils

On the other hand, gerbils are more playful and active in attitude. Gerbils may not be as likely or able to bond with a human owner, but they provide hours of fun for young children

Activity Level

Although rats are active, they do not need as much space to explore and run around as gerbils. However, keep in mind that a certain gerbil or rat could be very active or very inactive depending on the species and their personality. Gerbils will also be pretty active.

Housing Needs

Rats

Rats living in captivity usually live for about two years, but they can occasionally live for as long as five years. Rats may not tunnel like gerbils, but they are excellent climbers. Enclosures for rats should be tall so the rats can easily climb.

Outside of their cages, rats love to play, exercise, and interact with their owners. Rats need to exercise and socialize even more than gerbils do, so they benefit from more hands-on time with their human owners.

Gerbils

Gerbils can live for anywhere between two to eight years, but this varies depending on the species of gerbil you have. Seeing as gerbils tend to be very energetic, sociable, and active, it is best to get them a large enclosure to live in. They love to run around and explore, so a big cage with plenty of interesting toys and activities is important for the wellness of gerbils.

Gerbils are not great at climbing but are superb at tunneling. With this in mind, gerbil cages should have one deep tray section so that there is lots of bedding for them to burrow into.

Food

Rats

Rats are omnivores, which means that they need to eat both vegetables and meats in order to be healthy. They often enjoy eating fruit, cooked eggs, vegetables, and seeds.

Gerbils

Gerbils are also omnivores. They often enjoy eating seeds, insects, fruits, vegetables, and various plants. For more detailed information I suggest you read our comprehensive guide to gerbils’ diet.

Intelligence

Rats

Rats are extremely intelligent, and they can catch onto training very quickly. They can even do a variety of tricks! Pet owners who are looking for a smart animal to train will likely be pleased with rats!

Gerbils

Gerbils are not as intelligent as rats, but they can be trained to do basic tricks. Use treats as training incentives.

Affectionate Behavior

Tame rats often show a lot of affection for their owners. They often cuddle up against their owners, and they sometimes crawl under the clothing that their owner is wearing, as it is warm and allows them to be close to their owner.

Gerbils are also affectionate towards their owners. They show excitement when their owner approaches, and they sometimes start to purr.

Exercise

Rats

Rats are healthiest when they are able to play and run around, so give them lots of space to run around! If it seems like your rat needs more exercise, buy a hamster ball or mouse wheel for them to run around on.

Gerbils

Gerbils also need to be fairly active in order to be happy. They don’t need as much space as a rat and can get a lot of energy out through tunneling in their enclosure. Make sure there is plenty of bedding at the bottom of your gerbil’s cage for them to tunnel into.

Similarities

Both rats and gerbils are rodents and are often small enough to be held in one or two hands. They each come in a wide variety of sizes and can be found in a variety of colors and patterns. These are both highly sociable animals, and both should be kept in groups or pairs.

If these animals are alone, they will become depressed and lonely. If they are lonely or depressed, they will become lethargic. Both animals will form strong bonds with the other animal in their cage or with their human owner if cared for properly.

If your rat or gerbil has at least one companion and they are behaving abnormally, they may be sick. If you think that your pet is sick, call the vet and determine if they want you to bring your pet in for a visit.

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Overall, gerbils and rats are similar and different in many ways. They are both affectionate but show affection in different ways. They eat similar things and look similar, but rats are often larger than gerbils.

If you want an extremely intelligent pet, get a rat. However, if you want a slightly less intelligent pet rodent that is slightly smaller, get a gerbil. Because they look similar, no matter which pet rodent you get, you will likely think that they are quite cute.