How do you tell the difference between a baby gerbil and an adult gerbil?

Answer 1

It's almost impossible to tell exactly, especially as gerbils live for different lengths of time and their health is more or less good, depending on what environment they are kept in and how they are handled.

Gerbils are born naked and start to develop fur at about a week. They should have a decent coat of fur by about two weeks and open their eyes at around three weeks (though all these can vary) At about a month they are fully furred with very soft, fine fur, which looks shiny when it lies flat, but goes quite scruffy, as if it is oily, when it is ruffled. The backs of their heads also look different at this age. It is hard to describe, but you get to recognise it. It is like the difference between looking at the neck of a small child and the neck of an adult human. The head looks rounder from behind at this age and the eyes often look larger in the head - basically they look more babyish than a fully adult gerbil. They will be lively and not want to stay still in your hand for more than a few seconds. They tend to be a little reckless, launching themselves off shoulders and so on without thinking about where they are going to land.

At around three to four months, they lose the babyish characteristics. The back of the head appears flatter and the eyes look sharper. The fur also tends to thicken up a bit and if they are being fed well, they will have a sturdier shape and look less scrawny than they did. They will still be very lively, but may start to sit still for a while if they feel comfortable.

If gerbils are kept in a suitable enclosure and handled and fed properly, they should live for three to four years, five in many cases. During their lives, there is very little by which to age them. You can start to see when they get old however. Their fur will tend to get scruffier as they get old and there are certain complaints that only really affect older gerbils. You may see more irritation around the eyes, or have more discolouration on the teeth. The biggest one is a stomach tumor that is relatively common. It usually starts as a small lump near the scent gland on the belly, and will probably not worry them at all. It is usually treatable by a vet, but will usually be what kills them if not, as it will grow and grow until it is very noticeable and causes them discomfort. You rarely see it on young gerbils.

An old gerbil should still have plenty of energy, but will stay still for much longer, if you get it out a lot, it will go to sleep in your hand or on your lap. The percentage of time spent sleeping will increase.

You cannot really give a time when a gerbil is old. If you keep them in a small cage with little stimulation they may be old at two years. If you keep them in a tank with earth and plenty to do, they may stay young till they are four.

Answer 2

Which ever one is slower and has more grey hair. Other than that no one is going to be able to help you. The older one will spend more time sleeping and become lazier with chewing as well.

Answer 3

A baby gerbil will be smaller.

Depending on it's age, the baby may have no fur, no sight and no hearing(although these are found in newborn gerbils).