gerberoja

Gerberoja, commonly known as gerbils, are small rodents belonging to the subfamily Gerbillinae within the family Muridae. Native to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, they inhabit arid and semi-arid environments such as deserts and savannas. The group comprises numerous genera, including Meriones and Gerbillus, with Meriones unguiculatus (the Mongolian gerbil) among the best known species and a common pet.

Gerbils are adapted to dry conditions: they have efficient kidneys, obtain much of their water from food, and live in burrow systems that help regulate temperature and predation risk. They are typically crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, and social, often living in pairs or small colonies.

Diet consists largely of seeds and plant matter, supplemented by greens and insects in some species. In captivity, gerbils are popular pets and are usually kept in groups; they require a stimulating, spacious enclosure, dust baths, and opportunities to dig and hide.

Reproduction varies by species but generally includes short gestation periods (around 20–26 days) and litter sizes of several young; weaning occurs after about three to four weeks.

Conservation status is generally favorable for many species, though some have declined due to habitat loss and other pressures. Gerbils have also been widely used in scientific research because of their physiology, behavior, and ease of care.