Gerbils Flashcards
Scientific name for gerbils
Meriones unguiculatus
Translation of Meriones unguiculatus
“mammal having claws”
Gerbils are native to desert regions of
China and Mongolia
Their fur is usually
brown agouti
Range of weight for adult gerbils
55-100g
Most common type of gerbil used in research
Mongolian
2 main reasons gerbils are used in research
- stroke
2. seizures
Gerbils are prone to strokes because their arterial bundle at the base of their brains are
incomplete
Gerbils are prone to these under stress
seizures
Gerbils usually keep one partner throughout their lives so they are considered
monogamous
Gerbils are active at night so they are
nocturnal
How do gerbils attract attention or express aggressiveness?
Thumping their hind limbs
Their hind limbs are elongated to aid in
jumping and maintaining posture
A marking gland that’s more prominent in males
Ventral gland
This gland is located behind the eye that helps keep it lubricated and produces red tears
Harderian gland
How many pairs of mammary glands do gerbils have?
4 pairs
These 2 type of RBCs are common on blood smears
- Retics
2. nRBCs
Even when fed a normal diet, gerbils can develop
lipemia or hypercholesterolemia
RBC life span
9-10 days
Predominant WBC
Lymphocyte
Because they are used to desert ecology, they retain water so they produce ______ quantities of highly concentrated urine
small
Life span
3-4 yrs
Normal Temp
101-103
Normal Pulse
300-360 BPM