Head to head
Roborovski Hamster vs Mongolian Gerbil
Roborovski Hamster
VS Mongolian Gerbil
The Roborovski hamster and Mongolian gerbil come from neighbouring dry regions of Central Asia and are both popular small pets, but they belong to different rodent groups and behave differently.
| Roborovski Hamster | Mongolian Gerbil | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Phodopus roborovskii | Meriones unguiculatus |
| Group | A hamster | A gerbil |
| Size | Only around 4 to 5 cm, the smallest pet hamster | Larger, a common pet gerbil |
| Tail | Short, typical of hamsters | A long, tufted tail used for balance |
| Social life | Not specifically documented | Family groups made up of a pair and their offspring |
| Alarm behaviour | Quick bursts of speed | Drums its hind feet to warn of danger |
| Native range | Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Tuva, and northern China | Mongolia and northern China |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Roborovski Hamster vs Mongolian Gerbil: common questions
Is a Roborovski hamster the same as a gerbil?
No, the Roborovski hamster is a short-tailed hamster, while the Mongolian gerbil is a long-tailed gerbil from a different rodent group.
Why does the Mongolian gerbil thump its feet?
It drums its hind feet on the ground to warn others in its family group of danger, a behaviour the Roborovski hamster is not known for.
Where do the Roborovski hamster and Mongolian gerbil live?
The Roborovski hamster lives in desert and semi-desert from Kazakhstan to northern China, while the Mongolian gerbil lives in dry steppe and semi-desert in Mongolia and northern China.