By: ASPCA Ani-Med

Could a clawed jird be the perfect pet for you? Nope, that isn't a typo--the word "jird" translates as "large desert rodent," and it's another name for the Mongolian gerbil. If properly cared for, these curious and gentle critters can make wonderful animal companions.

In the wild, gerbils are brownish-reddish-gray in color, which helps them blend in with their desert environment. Pet gerbils are available in a variety of colors, including white, soft caramel and all-black. Unlike other members of the rodent family (we're talking mice, rats and hamsters), gerbils have excellent vision. They measure in at about four inches, plus a tail of the same length, and have an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years.

If you're thinking about getting a gerbil, you really should consider getting more than one. These social animals live in family communities in the wild, and their domestic counterparts will get lonely if kept by themselves. Please bring home at least a pair; opt for same-sex siblings if at all possible. As adult males tend to fight, ASPCA experts recommend two females for first-time gerbil parents. While most gerbils sold as pets are Mongolian gerbils, or Meriones unguiculatus, other species are sometimes available. However, please note that members of different species should NOT be kept together.

Do you have the time it takes to properly care for gerbils? These curious charmers aren't the type of pets you can just feed, water and passively watch through the bars of a cage. Gerbils are easily hand-tamed and need supervised playtime out of the cage every day. Gentle by nature, gerbils seldom bite if properly handled--but if you don't think you'd feel comfortable handling them, it's best to consider another pet.

We also need to warn you that gerbils are MAJOR diggers! Many owners have been unpleasantly surprised to find their pets constantly digging and scratching at the bottom and sides of the cage. Luckily, there's a very easy solution. Simply fulfill your gerbils' inherent needs to dig by providing extra bedding on the cage floor and a small box filled with soil or bedding material.

Have these furry guys met your criteria so far? Gerbils may be right for you, but how about everyone else in the family? It's especially great if everyone is involved in the decision-making and caretaking. Because they're gentle, hardy, slow to bite and relatively easy to clean up after, gerbils are recommended as pets for older children who have mastered proper handling techniques. Unlike hamsters, gerbils are active during the day, which fits in well with many schedules. And because they produce minimal amounts of urine, gerbils tend to smell less than most other companion rodents. (That doesn't mean you can skimp on your daily and weekly cage-cleaning duties, though!)

If you're all set to bring gerbils home, we suggest getting yours from a reputable breeder or, best of all, adopting them from a shelter or small-animal rescue group. Search on sites like www.petfinder.com for gerbils looking for a second chance at a good life.