Gerbils and hamsters are often referred to interchangeably, but they’re actually very different animals. While gerbils and hamsters are both burrowing rodents and live in similar environments, they also have very different needs as pets. So what is the difference between gerbils and hamsters?
While it’s important to remember that each hamster and each gerbil is unique, each species has qualities that might make you decide to choose one or the other.
Continue reading to learn about the differences between these two animals and what you can expect when you own one as a pet.
Gerbil vs. Hamster Key Differences
We’ll go into more depth about the differences between hamsters and gerbils below. But for now, here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences you’ll want to consider if you’re choosing between these two pets.
- Activity level: Gerbils are more active during the day, while hamsters can sometimes be “ghost hamsters,” which means you’ll rarely see them.
- Daily maintenance: Hamsters are more self-sufficient than gerbils. They prefer foraging and exploring, while gerbils need access to plenty of chewing materials every day. Gerbils also need more spot-cleaning and tank cleaning, generally speaking.
- Handling: Gerbils tend to be easier to “tame” and handle than hamsters, although this is highly individual.
- Social needs: Gerbils need to be kept in pairs, while hamsters need to be kept alone. This means that you may end up with a rotating pair of gerbils, replacing them in your pair when they pass away.
- Lifespan: Hamsters live about two years, while gerbils live between three and five years.
- Noise level: Both gerbils and hamsters can create noise, but gerbils tend to be noisier than hamsters. They make chewing noises day and night, primarily at dawn and dusk. Hamsters are primarily active at night, but they don’t chew as much. With a silent wheel, you may not hear your hamster at all.
Learn more: How to Care for Hamsters as Pets: Top 8 Hamster Owner Tips
Gerbil vs. Hamster Appearance
The first difference between gerbils and hamsters is what they look like. Here are the notable physical differences between gerbils and hamsters.
Size
One of the most noticeable differences between gerbils and hamsters is their size. Gerbils generally tend to be larger than dwarf hamsters, while they can be the same size or smaller than a Syrian hamster.
On average, gerbils measure around 4 to 6 inches in length, with an additional 4 to 6 inches for their tail. In contrast, dwarf hamsters are slightly smaller, ranging from 2 to 4 inches with a shorter tail, typically about 0.5 inches. Syrian hamsters range between 5 inches and 7 inches with a short tail between 0.5 and 1 inch.
Tail
The length and appearance of a hamster and gerbil’s tails are strikingly different.
Gerbils sport long, slender tails that are nearly as long as their bodies. These tails serve various purposes, including balance and thermoregulation. They resemble the tail of a rat, except a gerbil’s tail has fur coating the entire length.
On the other hand, hamsters have shorter tails, often described as stubby. While hamsters do use their tails for balance, they are not known for having good balance.
Fur
Gerbils and hamsters boast unique fur textures that contribute to their distinct appearance. Gerbils typically have soft, smooth fur that lies close to their bodies. The texture is velvety and pleasant to the touch (if they let you touch it).
Hamsters, in contrast, may have either short or long fur, depending on their species. The fur of some hamsters is coarser compared to the luxurious coat of gerbils. On the other hand, many dwarf hamsters have downy soft fur that is equally lush to pet.
Ears
Take a glance at the ears of both gerbils and hamsters, and you’ll notice another set of disparities. Gerbils have relatively large ears that stand out prominently on their heads. These large ears play a crucial role in their auditory perception, helping them detect sounds in their environment.
In contrast, hamsters have smaller, more rounded ears that sit closer to the head. While both gerbils and hamsters have keen hearing, the size and shape of their ears add a distinctive touch to their overall appearance.
Snout
The facial features of gerbils and hamsters also diverge notably in the structure of their snouts. Gerbils sport pointed, elongated noses that give them a distinctive look. On the other hand, hamsters feature rounded, more compact muzzles.
Body shape
Beyond individual features, the overall body shape of gerbils and hamsters paints a clear picture of their respective species. Gerbils showcase sleek, slender frames with a well-defined, streamlined silhouette. Their bodies are built for agility and swift movements, reflecting their natural habitat in arid regions where quick escapes from predators are crucial.
Contrastingly, hamsters exhibit plumper, more compact bodies. Their rounder profiles are a testament to their burrowing lifestyle, allowing them to navigate tunnels and burrows with ease. While gerbils emphasize speed and agility, hamsters prioritize a robust build that aids in burrow construction and provides insulation in their underground homes.
Learn more: How Much Do Gerbils Cost? Price of Adoption and Care
Gerbil vs. Hamster Behavior and Temperament
Appearance is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the differences between gerbils and hamsters. Here are the differences you should be aware of in terms of their behavior and temperament.
Social needs
Gerbils, true to their social nature, thrive in group settings. In the wild, they live in family units and exhibit communal behaviors. When kept as pets, gerbils fare much better when housed with at least one companion of the same sex. We recommend keeping gerbils in pairs because a pair’s bond is strongest. Their interactions are marked by playfulness, grooming rituals, and a strong sense of camaraderie.
Gerbils’ social nature can sometimes come with complications — namely in the form of declanning. If you choose to adopt gerbils, make sure you’re aware of the risks of declanning and what to do if it happens.
Hamsters, on the other hand, are more solitary creatures. They prefer to have their own space and territory, making them less amenable to sharing their living quarters.
Attempts to house hamsters together can lead to territorial disputes and aggression, so we never recommend it. Hamsters are best kept individually to avoid stress and potential conflicts that can lead to serious injury or death.
Activity levels
Gerbils are known for their boundless energy and love for exploration. Gerbils are crepuscular, which means they’re most active at dawn and dusk. However, many pet gerbils adapt to their owners’ schedules and exhibit lots of activity during the day.
In contrast, pet hamsters are primarily nocturnal, even though their wild counterparts are crepuscular. This means pet hamsters are typically more active during the night.
Hamster owners may observe their furry friends awakening in the evening, embarking on nightly adventures on wheels or through tunnels. However, you might not see your hamster until well after dark, if at all.
Some hamsters are “ghost hamsters,” which means they don’t come out of hiding until everyone has gone to bed or left the house.
Handling
When it comes to handling and taming, gerbils often display a curious and inquisitive nature. They are generally more open to human interaction and can be “tamed” with patience and gentle handling. Gerbil owners may find that their pets become accustomed to being held and may even enjoy climbing on hands or shoulders during playtime.
Hamsters, while not necessarily unfriendly, tend to be more independent. They may require more time and patience to become comfortable with handling. Some hamsters may be more prone to nipping if they feel threatened or stressed. Building trust through slow and gentle interactions is crucial for fostering a positive relationship with a pet hamster.
Communication styles
Both gerbils and hamsters communicate through a combination of vocalizations, body language, and scent marking. Gerbils are known for their chatter and communication, which includes thumping sounds, squeaks, and foot drumming. These expressive vocalizations and sounds serve as a means of communication within their social groups.
Hamsters, on the other hand, are generally quieter. While they may emit soft squeaks or hissing sounds when distressed, hamsters rely heavily on scent marking to communicate with their surroundings. They have scent glands on their flanks, and rubbing their bodies against objects helps establish territories and convey information.
Gerbil vs. Hamster Care Requirements
The care requirements for a hamster or a pair of gerbils are actually quite similar. They both need a large enclosure that’s deep enough for burrows and tunnels.
They both need similar food, although they have slightly different dietary requirements that it’s important to note. Below are the key differences between gerbils and hamsters to consider.
Enclosure size
A pair of gerbils and a dwarf hamster have similar enclosure size requirements. However, a Syrian hamster requires more space as a minimum.
Keep in mind that these are minimum requirements according to our research, and we always recommend providing more space when possible, especially for a hamster.
- Dwarf hamster: 600 square inches of unbroken floor space
- Syrian hamster: 775 square inches of unbroken floor space
- Gerbils (pair): 629 square inches of unbroken floor space
Bedding depth
In addition to floor space, it’s essential to consider the depth of your enclosure. Both gerbils and hamsters need deep bedding for burrowing, but this is especially important for gerbils.
Hamsters should have at least 8 inches of deep bedding in at least ⅓ of their enclosure. Gerbils should have at least 10 inches. The deeper bedding you can provide, the better.
Making sure you have a deep enough enclosure helps decrease the amount of mess you’ll need to clean up on a regular basis, as well, by preventing too much bedding from being kicked out.
Diet
Gerbils and hamsters have similar diets with some minor—but important—differences.
In general, you’ll go through more food with a pair of gerbils or a Syrian hamster than you will with a single dwarf hamster.
However, hamsters hoard more food than gerbils, so you may end up going through about the same amount of food with both gerbils and hamsters.
Maintenance
Both hamsters and gerbils are relatively low-maintenance—but not no-maintenance—pets.
Typically, gerbils require more spot-cleaning and cage-cleaning than hamsters.
For hamsters, you rarely need to clean out their entire cage or tank and replace the bedding. For gerbils, you should plan on replacing about ⅔ of their bedding every three to four weeks. So in terms of cleaning, gerbils require more maintenance.
However, both hamsters and gerbils need to be checked on a regular basis and their habitat tended to daily. Hamsters can be more difficult to perform health checks on since they are often fully nocturnal in captivity.
Lifespan
If lifespan is important to you, you might choose gerbils over a hamster. However, it’s important to remember that a shorter lifespan doesn’t mean a less rewarding pet or a less meaningful relationship with your pet.
- Hamster lifespan: 1-2 years
- Gerbil lifespan: 3-5 years
Both gerbils and hamsters can suffer from cancers and other conditions that can be hard to treat as they grow older.
Learn more: What Is the Best Bedding for Gerbils?
Choosing Between a Hamster and Gerbils
In conclusion, choosing between gerbils and hamsters as pets ultimately depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and commitment level. While gerbils are more social, active during the day, and have a longer lifespan, hamsters are more independent, prefer a solitary lifestyle, and require less maintenance.
The physical differences, behavior, and care requirements highlighted in this article can guide you in making an informed decision based on what aligns best with your expectations. Whether you opt for the boundless energy of gerbils or the nocturnal companionship of hamsters, both can bring joy and companionship into your life with the right care and attention.
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