Which one would you pick if you had to choose between a gerbil and a hamster?
Well, isn’t this a difficult decision?
These adorable, diminutive, furry creatures appear very similar at first glance. Both have distinct incisor teeth, tiny claws for digging and burrowing, and a range of colors.
It is not easy to separate them because of their similarities. But if you look closely enough, you can tell the difference between hamsters and gerbils.
What differences must you watch out for to avoid choosing the wrong rodent?
Quick Summary: Hamster vs Gerbil Key Differences
| Feature | Hamster | Gerbil |
| 1. Length of the tail | Short | Long |
| 2. The shape of the face | Round | Pointed |
| 3. Size of the body | Round | Streamlined |
| 4. Physical appearance | Mostly golden | White, cream, dark brown, and gray |
| 5. Social and nocturnal behavior | Social and energetic | Non-social and non-energetic |
| 6. Diet nutrition | Omnivorous | Herbivorous |
| 7. Easy to care for | Hard | Easy |
7 Outstanding Differences between Gerbils and Hamsters
1. The Length of the Tail
The tails of gerbils are roughly 4 inches long, or the same length as the gerbil’s body. The tails of some gerbil species, like Mongolian gerbils, have hair, but fat-tailed gerbils have tails that are strikingly thicker than those of other gerbil species, making them easy to recognize.
Contrarily, hamsters have very short, stubby tails that are typically less than an inch long. The Chinese hamster is exceptional in this rule because it has a long tail similar to its body.
2. The Shape of the Face
They may look alike, but their differences can be deceiving.
Hamsters have round faces and inbuilt cheek pouches that they use to store food, giving them the appearance of being broad and chubby.
Gerbils have a slim body shape and a pointed, more rat-like face. Additionally, they lack the hamster-specific cheek pouches.
3. Size of Body
Gerbils are frequently referred to as having streamlined bodies because of their extended, lean frames. They are also very agile thanks to their large, powerful, and long hind legs. So it’s common to spot a gerbil hopping around and acting acrobatically.
Hamsters have short, round bodies, similar to their faces, frequently giving them the shape of an adorable ball of fluff. In addition to having short legs, hamsters are less agile than gerbils.
4. Physical Appearance: Dwarf Hamster vs Gerbil
Light whites, creams, darker browns, and greys are just a few colors that gerbils can be in.
It’s possible to find black hamsters. Syrian or dwarf hamsters are the most common hamsters found in pet stores.
Syrian hamsters were once only available in one color—the combination of brown, black, and gold that gave them their nickname “Golden”—but they have since undergone various color mutations, including cream, white, tortoiseshell, calico banded, and sable.
5. Social and Nocturnal Behavior
Compared to hamsters, gerbils are far more active. They frequently spend long periods spinning their wheel. The fact that gerbils can be naturally social creatures accounts for their high activity level. Gerbils need to burn off excess energy and enjoy being around other gerbils.
Hamsters do not need as much exercise because they are more solitary animals.
Hamsters are far less likely to be active during the day because of their nighttime habits, and when they are, there is a high probability of nipping you because they might be grumpy.
6. Diet Nutrition
As omnivores, hamsters can consume a wide range of foods, including grains, fruits, vegetables, weeds, and grasses. They will consume bugs, lizards, insects, and frogs in the wild when the opportunity presents itself.
In contrast, gerbils are herbivores that primarily consume seeds, fruits, herbs, and vegetables. Since hamsters have larger stomachs than gerbils, they require a different diet to survive. Additionally, hamsters like to plunder food, which can result in weight issues.
7. Easy to Care for
Animals like hamsters tend to be solitary. Over a certain age, two hamsters will fight each other, sometimes resulting in death. Even mating hamsters is often stressful because the pair usually splits up again immediately after mating. As a result, hamsters must only be retained alone.
However, gerbils are easy to take care of them. They function best in same-sex sets or trios where there is an opportunity for interaction. One of the cutest things you will ever see is a small group of animals curled together in a writhing mass of legs, tails, and whiskers.
Final Word
As you can see, hamsters and gerbils each have unique advantages and disadvantages. It would be inaccurate to imply that one pet is inherently superior to the other.
However, now that you know the differences between gerbils and hamsters, you can decide which rodent best suits your lifestyle based on the abovementioned points. Now you can visit your neighborhood pet without worrying.
