Anyone ever kept jerboas?

petluvr

petluvr

AC Members
Jun 5, 2008
5,356
2
62
48
Podunk, Va.
Real Name
Larry
I was talking to someone today about an excellent exotic pet store that used to be in my town and remembered they sold the cutest little rodents called Jerboas. Anyone ever kept them? I would LOVE to have one of these little guys if it is even possible to find them anymore :)
 
I've never kept jerboas, but I've kept their smaller cousins, gerbils. Fantastic pets! Very cute and surprisingly low-maintenance. They're desert critters, so they drink less water. Less water = less pee & dry poop = very little smell. Of course, fresh water should always be available.

Mine were way too hyper to be "cuddly," even in old age, but they were lots of fun to watch and could be handled to some extent---they'd sit on my hand and eat. I was never bitten. They had absolutely no fear of cats, but a shadow passing over them would send them scurrying. The explanation I read is that there isn't anything cat-like in their natural environment, so they never developed that fear. Their natural predators are birds and snakes.

Anyway, if jerboas are anything like gerbils, then they're really awesome little critters. :)
 
I've never seen one of those before. I want one now.
 
cellodaisy said:
I've never kept jerboas, but I've kept their smaller cousins, gerbils. Fantastic pets! Very cute and surprisingly low-maintenance. They're desert critters, so they drink less water. Less water = less pee & dry poop = very little smell. Of course, fresh water should always be available.

Mine were way too hyper to be "cuddly," even in old age, but they were lots of fun to watch and could be handled to some extent---they'd sit on my hand and eat. I was never bitten. They had absolutely no fear of cats, but a shadow passing over them would send them scurrying. The explanation I read is that there isn't anything cat-like in their natural environment, so they never developed that fear. Their natural predators are birds and snakes.

Anyway, if jerboas are anything like gerbils, then they're really awesome little critters. :)
Click to expand...
These are a nocturnal burrowing species, I wonder if they can be kept with the same type of bedding as gerbils and other rodents? Information is super scarce on them.
 
I didn't even know that they were domesticated. I know that they have a very limited habitat in the desert of the Middle East. They are cute, though. Kind of like someone crossed a Gerbil and a jackrabbit. Wonder if that's how the "Jackalope" legend started--LOL.
 
Last edited:
Somervell said:
I didn't even know that they were domesticated. I know that they have a very limited habitat in the desert of the Middle East. They are cute, thought. Kind of like someone crossed a Gerbil and a jackrabbit. Wonder if that's how the "Jackalope" legend started--LOL.
Click to expand...
They are actually sold as "miniature kangaroos" when I have seen them in pet shops :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom