Have you ever heard about the curious behavior of the gerbil? It does not know how to sleep. Its natural instincts drive it to seek warmth and security from threats, so it buries its head under the belly of another gerbil. This is why gerbils sleep in groups ג€” to stay warm.
The name for this behavior is “social nest building”. Gerbiltiy means “gift of living together” in Latin. Why do gerbils sleep in groups? There are various scientific theories on this issue. Let’s explore them one by one…
Is It Good for Gerbils To Sleep on Top of Each Other?
Gerbils don’t sleep — they nest. They build nests out of their own fur and other materials. The whole process is called “social nest building”. It is not good for them to sleep on the ground because it can lead to hypothermia. So, gerbils sleep in groups for warmth, security, and protection from predators. The next time you watch a group of gerbils sleeping, remember that they are all trying to keep each other warm!
Gerbils are rodents that live in the desert regions of North Africa and the Middle East. They have very long ears that help them maintain body heat during cold nights by using the giant surface area of their bodies as efficient radiator surfaces. This keeps them cool by radiating body heat back into their own flesh. Gerbil species are found throughout arid areas like deserts, savannahs, grasslands, semi-deserts, steppes, mountainsides, and agricultural land.
Does Gerbils Sleeping on Top of Each Other Means Theyן¿½re Cold?
Some say that the gerbils sleep this way because they’re cold. However, there is no evidence that supports this idea.
The alternative theory suggests that the gerbils sleep this way because it feels like being in a protective nest. When the gerbil sleeps on top of another one, it feels like it’s safe and secure. Itג€™s possible that mammals understand instinctually that if they’re with their family or friends, then they are protected from threats and danger.
Does Gerbild Sleeping on Top of Each Other Means Theyן¿½re Scared?
Some people think that gerbils are scared, so they sleep in groups to feel more secure. This theory is not true because
1) a single gerbil can’t fight off predators
2) gerbils sleep in groups all the time
3) the social nest building behavior does not occur when the gerbils are alone but only when they are in the company of other gerbils.
Should You Prevent From Gerbils From Sleeping on Top of Each Other?
The first theory is that sleeping in groups is a genetic trait, which means it’s hard to change. Gerbils sleep in groups because they feel safer, not because they are genetically programmed to do so. If we don’t build nests or have any other form of protection, we could be preyed upon by predators like hawks, snakes, and weasels.
The second theory is that gerbils sleep in groups because the warmth of their bodies provides a predator-free zone; this means the area around the nest would be safe for the gerbil to escape from the predators if it was needed to do so.
The third theory is that social nesting behavior helps create a cozy environment for all members of the group ג€” plus it keeps them warm. With their heads buried under the belly of another gerbil, they absorb heat from its insides and keep each other warm as well.
The fourth theory is that social nesting behavior helps build trust among individuals within a group and increases survival chances for all members of the group by increasing their awareness about each othersג€™ whereabouts.
The fifth theory is that social nesting behavior allows individuals within a group to communicate with one another when danger arises ג€” but only when they are safely tucked away together in the nest can this communication happen.
