Gerbils appear to have a cyclic activity consisting of brief periods of intense activity alternating with brief periods of rest or deep sleep. They rarely show aggressive behavior, although, under certain conditions, individuals in a group of adult gerbils may become pugnacious. Fighting can also be a problem when setting up mating groups, although once the group is established there does not seem to be any recurrence of fighting. It is quite safe to assemble large groups of gerbils by sex at the time of weaning and to continue to rear them together up to and beyond the onset of sexual maturity. Inherited Characteristics Several apparently inherited characteristics of the gerbil are of interest and may provide useful experimental models.
Occurrence is in response to perceived threat, particularly when in an unfamiliar environment.
Recovery is spontaneous, with no ill effects and the seizures are not cause for alarm. E.A. The oestrus cycle in the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus . A.W. Spontaneous tumours of the Mongolian gerbil. F.M. A case of overgrown mandibular incisors in a Mongolian gerbil. F.M. Differential growth rates in male Mongolian gerbils.