The gerbils are a family of rodents. There are about 110 species of gerbils. All gerbils are adapted to arid habitats.

Gerbils are social animals, and live in groups in the wild. They rely on their sense of smell to identify other members of their clan.

Most gerbils are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. (Like you and me!)

Gerbils are typically not aggressive, and they rarely bite unprovoked or without stress. Gerbils have adapted their kidneys to produce a minimum of waste to conserve body fluids, which makes them very clean with little odor.

Here are a few interesting facts about Gerbils.

• At one time, gerbils were knows as "desert rats".

• The average length of a gerbil is usually between six and twelve inches, this includes the tail, which makes up one half of the total length.

• Unlike rats and mice, gerbils need to dig their own tunnel systems. Therefore, they will gnaw through the commonly plastic structures one buys to house the aforementioned rat or mouse.

• These cute critters are available through the Living Science Material Center CO-OP page to check out to enhance teaching activities for a 2-week period, OR you can keep them as a classroom pet.