Gerbils are small rodents that live in burrows and feed on seeds, roots, fruits, leaves, and other plant material.
They have a keen sense of smell, which makes them excellent sniffers.
However, gerbil bites can cause plenty of discomfort for humans regularly exposed to them.
Rats and mice tend to bite more than gerbils because they have larger teeth and chisel-like incisors.
The first step towards protecting yourself from an unpleasant encounter with these little critters is to spot the signs of an active gerbil colony before you get bitten.
Here we’ll explain how you can distinguish a nibbling gerbil from a biting one so you know how to keep them out of your home without resorting to harmful measures or traps.
How do you hold a gerbil without it biting you?
When holding a gerbil, you’ll want to keep your fingers and thumb on opposite sides of the cage. This will help prevent the creature from squeezing between them and giving you a nasty bite that could take weeks to heal.
Remember not to press too hard when picking up the rodent either, or you could get bitten.
One way to tell whether a gerbil is biting is by observing its ears and body language.
While nibbling rats tend to be more active than those that are biting, they also typically have their ears pinned back and their tails raised.
An aggressive rodent like this one will also nip at you with its teeth while it bites down in an attempt to puncture your skin.
However, some gerbils may feel uncomfortable around humans should they be feeling threatened by your presence.
If this is the case, they may resort to biting as a defense mechanism; detect these signs early and try to provide them with some distance before they escalate into any aggressive behavior.
As a last resort, if a gerbil still decides to bite despite your attempts at distraction, trap them safely in an Animal Control facility away from your home so that other members of the colony cannot re-infest your home when it’s empty for long periods.
Do you need a tetanus shot after a gerbil bite?
If you are bitten by a rat or mouse, it is recommended that you get a tetanus shot.
If the rodent had fleas on its back before biting you, the bite may also be carrying flea-borne diseases as well.
It is important to note that some rodent bites can be more serious than others. In fact, in some cases, animal bites carry rabies and other forms of zoonotic diseases.
While gerbil bites don’t carry any known disease risks, they still can cause plenty of discomfort for those frequently exposed to them.
If a gerbil bites you, it will likely leave an imprint of its teeth on your skin which can result in pain and swelling.
To help prevent any infection that could be caused by the gerbil bite, it is recommended that you wash the affected area with soap and water to remove all traces of saliva from your skin.
Can gerbils transmit diseases to humans?
Gerbils have a reputation for being carriers of dangerous diseases, including salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis.
However, these diseases are not common in North America and Europe. In other parts of the world, where gerbils are more prevalent, they can spread a wide range of diseases that can be quite serious.
The majority of rodent-borne illnesses occur in children and elderly people who live in poor sanitary conditions.
Gerbils aren’t the only animal that can transmit diseases to humans; rodents like rats and mice are equally susceptible to the same infections as gerbils.
what is the best way to keep gerbils from biting?
The best way to keep gerbils from biting is to provide them with plenty of toys and chews so they can gnaw on something other than your fingers.
You should also try to handle them regularly so they get used to your touch and scent.
If you have a gerbil that is particularly nippy, you may want to consider wearing gloves when handling it.
Some people also recommend using a little bit of honey or peanut butter on your fingers to entice the gerbil to lick them instead of biting them.
Ultimately, the best way to prevent gerbils from biting is to provide them with a stimulating environment so they don’t get bored and to handle them frequently so they get used to your touch.
Conclusion
Biting gerbils can be a sign that they are uncomfortable or feeling threatened.
If you observe their ears and body language, you may be able to tell the difference between a nibbling gerbil and an aggressive one.
In cases where a gerbil does bite, it is important to wash the wound with soap and water and consider getting a tetanus shot.
You can also protect yourself from bites by wearing gloves when handling them and providing them with plenty of toys to keep them occupied.
