What is Gerbil?
{{Taxobox | name = Gerbil | fossil_range = <br/>late [[Miocene]] - Recent | image = | image_width = 200px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Rodent]]ia | subordo = [[Myomorpha]] | superfamilia = [[Muroidea]] | familia = [[Muridae]] | subfamilia = '''Gerbillinae''' | subfamilia_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1825}} '''Gerbils''' are a family of [[rodent]]s. There are about 110 species of gerbils. All gerbils are adapted to [[arid]] [[habitat]]s. At one time, gerbils were known as wild '''rats'''. Most gerbils are [[diurnal]], some are [[crepuscular]]. The gerbil is native to Central Asia, India, the Middle East, and Africa. The average length of a gerbil is usually between six and twelve [[inches]], this includes the tail which makes up one half of the total length. The gerbil is also a common household [[pet]]. Species of gerbil include: * [[Fat-tailed gerbil]], whose tail gets bigger when it eats. * [[Great gerbil]], the biggest type of gerbil The Mongolian gerbil is one of around 110 species, but it is the most popular to have for a pet. The Mongolian gerbil was discovered in 1800 but was not studied until 1866. All domestic gerbils come from just a few gerbils from 1930. A gerbil is smaller than a rat but bigger than a mouse. It depends on the species. From just mice and rats the gerbil has a tail with hair and it ends with a tassel. A gerbil is around 5-6 inches long but with the tail it is around 11-12 inches. There are also bigger gerbils like the Great gerbil who has a 7-8 inches long body and 7-8 inches long tail. == Other websites == {{commonscat|Gerbillinae}} * [http://www.gerbilcare.org Gerbil Care Guide] * [http://www.gerbils.co.uk/ The National Gerbil Society (U.K.)] * [http://www.agsgerbils.org/ The American Gerbil Society] * [http://www.thegerbils.com/ TheGerbils.com - Everything about the gerbil!] * [http://www.popularpets.net/gerbils.php Gerbils at Popular Pets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070522013611/http: