The fat-tailed gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi), also called the duprasi gerbil or doop, is a gerbil that is native to the Northern Sahara (North-western Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria). The most common breed of pet gerbil is the Mongolian gerbil, but the fat-tailed gerbil is becoming more and more popular as a pet.
These little animals get their name because of their fat, club-shaped tail in which they store fat. Fat-tailed gerbils are often kept on their own instead of in pairs as they can show aggression towards other gerbils. With their owners, they are known for being a docile pet that is easily handled.
Fat-Tailed Gerbil History
A French zoologist by the name of Fernand Lataste first discovered the fat-tailed gerbil in 1880 in Laghouat, Algeria.
Fat-Tailed Gerbil Overview
Appearance
The fat-tailed gerbil has an average body length of around 10 cm (3.9 in), and usually weighs between 55 to 82 grams (1.9 to 2.9 oz). They have a round body that looks as if it has been flattened slightly! They have no visible neck and a sharp face, with black eyes and low ears.
The most distinguishing feature of the fat-tailed gerbil is its tail. Like this gerbil’s name suggests, this little animal has a thick, almost bald, club-shaped tail. They store fat in their tail, much like a camel stores fat in its hump. Male fat-tailed gerbils generally have a thicker tail than females. They have an average length of 5cm, and their tail can be a good indicator of their health.
Colors
Fat-tailed gerbils are relatively new to the pet trade, so they have not been selectively bred to have lots of different coat colors. They only come in one color, which is the same color they are in the wild. This is a mottled yellow-gray pattern on their back and head, which fades to white on their underside.
Lifespan
Fat-tailed gerbils can have a longer lifespan that your average gerbil. These animals can live for up to seven years as a pet, although more commonly they live for around four years.
Temperament
Fat-tailed gerbils are known for being one of the most docile species of the gerbil subfamily, especially towards humans. This makes them a great pet, as they won’t mind being picked up and stroked.
Towards other gerbils, however, this can be a different story. Fat-tailed gerbils are commonly kept on their own because they can show aggression towards their housemates. Even two fat-tailed gerbils who appear to get on can fall out in an instant. When they fight, they shriek loudly and bite each other’s tails.
Breeding pairs can be kept together, although they too may fight and may not always produce pups.
Fat-tailed gerbils are an active animal, but will have periods of sleep and activity throughout the day. They are commonly most active at dusk and dawn. Like other species of gerbil, they need to be kept entertained and exercised with lots of toys. They also like to dig, so will need to have space for this.
They also spend a lot of time washing their face and grooming their fur, and enjoy running on an exercise wheel.
Housing
Fat tailed gerbils can be defensive about their nests, so it is very common to keep these pets singly. Some owners keep them in pairs, but they can fight. Fat-tailed gerbils have scent glands on their stomach and mark their territory using these.
They should be kept in a cage measuring at least 100 by 50 centimetres (39 by 20 in), with at least 5 to 6 inches of substrate at the bottom for digging. You can then attach a cage on top of this substrate to store their food and water dish.
Fat-tailed gerbils will burrow into their substrate and make a nest. They also need regular dust bathing to help prevent their fur from appearing greasy, although some will naturally appear somewhat greasy.
Fat-tailed gerbils benefit from toys, especially ceramic or wooden toys. An exercise wheel with a minimum size of 8 in (200 mm) is particularly important for your gerbil.
Houses designed for hamsters and mice are not acceptable for gerbils. They are not big enough, and the common plastic items inside of hamster and mouse cages are inappropriate for gerbils due to their ability to gnaw through it very quickly.
Read more about how to correctly set up your gerbil home here.
Fat-tailed gerbils should be fed on a similar diet to Mongolian gerbils, which should be a multi-seed diet, with only small amounts of fresh vegetables to prevent diarrhea. Fat-tailed gerbils also enjoy mealworms, crickets, moths, and beetles. Their water should be provided with a drip-feed system, as this helps to to prevent any build-up of harmful mold in their tank. Learn what you should feed your gerbil in our article.
Fat-tailed gerbils have constantly growing teeth, so gnawing on branches and twigs can help to keep their teeth at the right length.
Fat-Tailed Gerbil Health Issues
- Teeth Issues: Like many small pets, gerbils have teeth that constantly grow. These pets need to chew and gnaw to file down their every-growing teeth. We recommend cardboard items and chew toys to help do this. You may find your gerbil needs to have their teeth clipped by the vet.
- Parasites: Common parasites in gerbils are ringworm, mites and fleas. These can mostly be treated at home with medication.
- Epilepsy: Between 20% and 50% of pet gerbils have epilepsy. Their seizures can be caused by fright, handling, or a new environment, but they are rarely fatal. It is recommended you don’t blow in their face, as this can trigger seizures.
- Trauma: Many gerbil health issues come from being dropped, not handled properly, or being inside unsafe toys, such as a hamster ball. These toys can cause broken limbs or a broken spine, which cannot be cured.
- Neglect: Another big cause of gerbil health problems come from neglect. If the owner doesn’t feed them, give them fresh water and clean them out regularly, they can develop many issues.
- Tumors: Tumors are common in pet gerbils. They mostly affect females and are on the ovaries, although tumors on the scent gland, ears, feet, midabdomen, and base of the tail are also common. Tumors can be both benign and malignant and can be operated on.
Fat-Tailed Gerbil Availability And Price
Fat-tailed gerbils are fairly rare in the pet market and their availability can be sparse. In some countries, they are not available at all, but they can be found in Germany, France, Denmark, the US and the UK, although not all pet shops will have them. In the Netherlands, fat-tailed gerbils are quite common.
Because of their rarity, fat-tailed gerbils can sell for over $100.
Fat-Tailed Gerbils In The Wild
Location
Fat-tailed gerbils are native to the Northern Sahara (North-western Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria) and live in sparsely vegetated sand sheets or rocky deserts. The live in burrows in the sandy soil which are about one meter deep. They feed on insects but will eat also a variety of plants.
Reproduction
Fat-tailed gerbils reach sexual maturity when they are around two months old. Their mating ritual is unusual — with both sexes standing on their hind legs and wrestling. The gestation period of fat-tailed gerbils is 19 to 21 days and the average litter size is three to six.
Generally, the female raises the pups on her own. Breeding fat-tailed gerbils in captivity can be very difficult, because females can become very aggressive when pregnant or nursing. This can result in her attacking her mate or even killing him, so they need to be housed separately after mating has occurred if she gets pregnant.
Population
The exact population of the fat-tailed gerbil is unknown, but they are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and are not considered to be threatened.
If you are unsure whether a fat-tailed gerbil is right for you, check out our article about the differences between a fat-tailed gerbil and a Mongolian gerbil.
