Head to head
Mongolian Gerbil vs Fat-tailed Gerbil
Mongolian Gerbil
VS Fat-tailed Gerbil
The Mongolian gerbil and fat-tailed gerbil are both popular pet gerbils, but they differ in tail, build, temperament, and the part of the world they come from.
| Mongolian Gerbil | Fat-tailed Gerbil | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Meriones unguiculatus | Pachyuromys duprasi |
| Tail | Long and tufted, used for balance | Short, thick, and club-shaped, storing fat |
| Build | Slimmer and long-tailed | Plump, stocky, and round |
| Temperament | Social, in family groups, with a foot-drumming alarm | Calm and docile |
| Diet | Herbivore, feeding on seeds, roots, and plant matter | Omnivore, feeding on insects as well as seeds and plants |
| Habitat | Dry steppe and semi-desert | Desert and semi-desert |
| Native range | Mongolia and northern China | North Africa, including the Sahara |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mongolian Gerbil vs Fat-tailed Gerbil: common questions
Why is it called the fat-tailed gerbil?
It has a short, thick, club-shaped tail that stores fat, an energy reserve for lean times in its desert home.
Which gerbil is calmer, the Mongolian or the fat-tailed gerbil?
The fat-tailed gerbil, which is gentler and more docile than many other gerbils, while the Mongolian gerbil is a lively, social animal.
Where do the Mongolian gerbil and fat-tailed gerbil come from?
The Mongolian gerbil is native to Mongolia and northern China, while the fat-tailed gerbil is native to the deserts of North Africa, including the Sahara.