Hamsters and gerbils are two popular small pets that are often confused for one another. While they may look similar, there are actually several key differences between these two animals. For starters, hamsters are much larger than gerbils, with an adult hamster typically weighing around 10 ounces while an adult gerbil only weighs about 2-3 ounces. Hamsters also have shorter tails and rounder bodies than gerbils. Additionally, hamsters are nocturnal animals that like to sleep during the day, whereas gerbils are active during both day and night.
When it comes to personality, hamsters tend to be more independent and territorial than gerbils. They generally prefer to live alone and can be quite aggressive towards other hamsters if they feel their territory is being threatened. Gerbils, on the other hand, are social animals that do best when living in pairs or small groups. They rarely show aggression towards one another and usually get along quite well.
Finally, when it comes to care, hamsters require a bit more maintenance than gerbils do. Their larger size means they need a bigger cage (at least 24 inches long), and they also need access to a wheel or some other type of exercise device so they can stay active. Gerbils can get by with a smaller cage (around 18 inches long) and don't necessarily need an exercise wheel since they're already relatively active creatures. So overall, while there are some similarities between hamsters and gerbils, there are also several key distinctions that set these two small pets apart from one another