Gerbil vs Hamster « 12 frogs

Gerbil vs Hamster

by JS on March 8, 2005

I’ve been thinking about gerbils and hamsters lately, and wondering if they are really different animals. I mean, don’t they share a basic purpose: teaching young children lessons about death?

Unless of course the hamster/gerbil-owning family has the kind of parents that lie, and pretend pets never die, and bring a stream of nearly identical rodents into the house.

As luck would have it, I read something about gerbils vs hamsters last night in the No. 14 issue of McSweeney’s:

Gerbils are not hamsters!
As any gerbil fancier will tell you, gerbils are way better than hamsters because gerbils are intelligent, happy creatures who enjoy life, whereas hamsters are boring misanthropes.

Further research indicates hamsters pee a lot more, sleep during the day and occasionally eat their young. Research also indicates mothers should be more careful when they promise a new pet in exchange for a clean room.

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62 comments

I don’t know, I’ve owned Syrian Hamsters for years, and have had very good experiences with them. They are low-key, and can even learn to come when called :D. However, I’ve never owned a Gerbil.

by Megan on July 20, 2005 at 11:29 am. #

[...] [...]

by 12 frogs » Blog Archive » on October 25, 2005 at 8:34 pm. #

I think it should not be alot of comotion on which is better.Personally had hamsters and gerbils in the past and its nonthing diffrent about them.Hamsters are going to be hamsters and gerbils are going to be gerbils.
One more thing is that I want to add is

R.I.P babby boo
2001-2006

by Tiara on March 20, 2006 at 5:59 pm. #

Gerbils are low maintenence… when it comes to cleaning that is…they are more active then hammies (ive had both) which is good and bad. Theyre fun to watch when theyre exploring…but its hard to have them out of the cage. You cant take your eyes off of them…. but they are really cute, smell less, and are more intellegent (seemingly) than hamsters.

by A Year Later on April 17, 2006 at 2:30 pm. #

i am going to get ether a hamster or a gerbil, i am leaning twords a gerbil because i have heard such great things about gerbils and such bad things about hamsters . i think this is unfair. can someone please tell me the good and bad things about both please! :.\

by unsure on December 11, 2006 at 4:42 pm. #

Gerbils are way better!Hamsters bite you if you wake them up!Gerbils won’t.Besides,gerbils with their cuddly faces are WAY cuter than those icky hamsters!I recemend gerbils!!!!!

by jenny on January 12, 2007 at 6:03 pm. #

Hamsters and gerbils are no good.All gerbils do is jump all over the place.Hamsters don’t like human handling and bite frequntly.Rats are the best they are cleaner than both gerbils and hamsters and are much friendlier too.There tails are the only reason why they are not popular.

by Tyler on March 24, 2007 at 6:17 am. #

I love both hamsters and gerbils, but if I had to choose one, I would go with gerbils. Gerbils are more social animals while many hamsters are solitary, so if you get gerbils, you should get them in pairs. Also, gerbils are more active and playful and they are not nocturnal, so they’re awake when you’re awake and you can play with them (of course they still take naps, though). Hamsters, on the other hand, are not as active as gerbils, but they are playful. Most hamsters are nocturnal, so you would probably be sleeping in your room by the time your hamsters wake up for playtime. Other things:

Gerbil Pros: Funny, intelligent, playful, and very curious little animals. They’re desert animals, so they make less urine (pee), therefore usually having a cleaner cage for a longer time than other rodents (and you would only have to clean the cage about once a month, but extra cleaning times wouldn’t hurt.) They are easier to tame than hamsters and can’t squeeze through tight spaces as well as hamsters, so it’s unlikely to lose them. They are good chewers, though, so you might want to get a glass tank or a metal cage for it. Rarely ever bite. My gerbils loved sunflower seeds, but sunflower seeds are kinda fatty, so you might not want to give them this treat too many times.
Gerbil Cons: Do not pull on their tails! As a defense mechanism in the wild, their tails will slip off if they’re pulled on. It’s a bloody mess, and their tails never grow back. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way. Too many fresh fruits and vegetables can cause diarrhea (or however you spell it).

Hamster Pros: These are nocturnal, so they’re suitable for people who work long hours during the day. For those of you that hate tails, hamsters have stubs. They do not require as much attention as gerbils (as in handling), and they are intelligent. A lot of hamsters are solitary, so you would usually only need one hamster, which means less work (this would be a Con if you like more social + playful animals, though). My hamsters loved the Captain Crunch Peanut Butter cereal things — there’s nothing cuter than watching your hamster munch on a bit of cereal. (be sure not to feed it to them too much, though. Just feed it to them as treats)
Hamster Cons: They pee more than gerbils, so their cages usually get stinky a bit more often, which means more cage cleaning, maybe every week or so. They may bite a bit more often than gerbils, but they still barely ever bite.

I’ve had both gerbils and hamsers before (and I still have some!), so I know these things. Both are really fun and I don’t know what I would do without them, but if I had to choose one type, I’d go along with the gerbils.

by Lana on May 8, 2007 at 4:51 pm. #

cool

by g on May 11, 2007 at 4:17 pm. #

right , gerbils are much giddier than hamster , but if you tame a gerbil , it can be very , very cool ,i have taught mine not to run off and its really good… wheras hamster are slow and boring , but can be funny when they climb upside down…
GERBILLL!!!!

by GoGerbilGo on August 1, 2007 at 7:12 am. #

dude rats are not cleaner than hamsters or gerbils ive had rats and hamsters and ive watched my freinds gerbil for a month

by unknown purpose on September 24, 2007 at 6:09 pm. #

I love both but Gerbils are smarter.Hamsters are cuter.If I had to choose between the two it would be a gerbil.Hamsters sleep all day so unless you work all the time and don’t get home untill at lest 7:00pm You will not be happy with your hamster.Gerbil’s are alway’s awake. (^_^)

by Amber on November 20, 2007 at 9:01 pm. #

Hi. I am well.. not very rich shall we say so i was thinking of making a cage for a hamster/gerbil. But i really can’t decide which one to get?! I wanted to get gerbils but the only thing is i have cats and sometimes we let them in they dont really come in my room but im scared that if i get a gerbil my cats will try to get in the cage and stress them out. So does anyone have any pointers for;
1) Homemade cages
2)Gerbils or Hamsters?
3)Which is most likely to do well around cats?

by Amber on November 28, 2007 at 1:03 pm. #

gerbils all the way 100% as gerbils are not nocturnal and hamsters are so hamsters are more likley to keep you away at night gerbils like to play more and there cage dosent need gleening out as often only once or twice a month as hamsters you need to do int once a week at least but gerbis have to be in pairs and hamsters have to live on there own they live longer this way but be carfull with a gerbil because if you tug there tails they will come off !!!

GERBILLS !!!!!!!!

by Jacob on December 1, 2007 at 12:13 pm. #

It is TOTALLY UNFAIR to call sweet, lovable little hamsters misanthropes!!! Take the kindly Teddy Bear Hamster for instance. Once tamed, they can be soooooo much better than those smelly gerbils, and they have a beautiful coat of long, soft fur to boot! And if you get dwarf hamsters, they can be housed together without incident! And have you even SEEN those ugly gerbils??? THEY ARE SO UGLY, wtih their fat tails and weirdly shaped heads…HAMSTERS ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH CUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long story short, Hamsters rule, Gerbils drool.
Hamsters are cuter, nicer, fluffier, and MUCH LOWER MAINTENENCE THAN GERBILS!!! GET HMASTERS NOT GERBILS!!!!!

by Julia the Meerkat Manor Fan on March 8, 2008 at 2:00 pm. #

Oh, yeah. And Hamsters are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better than rats, too. Rats are fat and ugly and everyone thinks you’re crazy when you tell them that you own one. Hamsters are the way to go, NOT gerbils, and especially NOT RATS!!!!

by Julia the Meerkat Manor Fan on March 8, 2008 at 7:19 pm. #

Oh, and one more thing. EVERYONE should watch Meerkat Manor! It’s so cute and heartwarming, and action packed, too, while still being suitable for a 3 year old child.
Season 4′s coming in June. You can’t miss it if you watch animal planet…it will be overrun with Meerkat commercials. Also watch Lemur Kingdom. That’s great, too.

by Julia the Meerkat Manor Fan on March 8, 2008 at 7:23 pm. #

hamsters are soooooooo cute. gerbels are soooooooo UGLY!!!!!!!

by krystalp on March 26, 2008 at 4:00 pm. #

gerbils and hamsters are the same neither or nor. don’t make fun fo rodants you haven’t had before its really rude

by jy on March 28, 2008 at 8:44 am. #

Get Gerbils they cuter hamster are ugly Gerbils rule

by Davonta on April 22, 2008 at 4:25 pm. #

He’s right gerbil rule Hamster drool you get a gerbil

by Braina on April 22, 2008 at 4:28 pm. #

I think hamsters are a lot better than gerbils. I’ve had gerbils before and I like hamsters a lot better. Gerbils are rather mean and bite way too much. I think hamsters are the way to go…hamsters are much cuter, and much nicer.

by Julianne on April 28, 2008 at 8:39 am. #

I have gerbils and I have had some hamster exsperiance, personally I like gerbils, they are more active during the day and they smell better.

by Maddy on May 11, 2008 at 5:11 pm. #

I have never had a gerbil or hamster before so i am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO greatfull to all of you guys for helping me decide wich one to get.p.s. I am getting a Hamster!
even thank you to those who said gerbils are ugly and stuff. I personaly like both of them.

by Ann on May 28, 2008 at 9:00 pm. #

If you think rats are ugly, I think(no offence)that rats are pretty cute!

by Ann on May 30, 2008 at 7:58 pm. #

I personally have loads of experience with both… (pet sitting) And Hamsters are fatter, meaner, not as smart and nocturnal (but they are also a Teeny bit cuter). Gerbils are sweet, social and loooove being handled. My boyfriends little sister has one and it is so tame that it will sit on her shoulder where evr she goes!!! He has two rats. I HATE RATS! they are not good pets to anyone but their ONE owner who spends the most time with them. EVery single rat i have watched bit me at least 3 times at first. if u are looking for an awesome pet here ar my recommendations: Bushy tailed jirds; Fancy mice; for the single person Rats; Guinea pigs are nice; CHINCHILLAS!! I have pet sat three adorable chinchillas! they are Reaaaally sweet!!; Budgie parakeets! the boys can talk!!!!; Cockatoos; African clawed frogs; And, GERBILS!!!!!!!! WHOOOOOO!

by GerbilruleHammiedrool on August 5, 2008 at 1:18 pm. #

Ok.here is some advice for when your little kid says these words: “Mo-om, I want a Hamster (or another type of pet). First of all you should tell them “Yes but only if (chores chores chores). Then well.. RESEARCH! Now, here are the best child pets ever: Leopard Gecko; Green Anole; King snake; Gerbil, NOT HAMSTERS! THEY ARE FAT UGLY AND LIVE FOR ONLY 2 YEARS! My advice is to get Mice Or Gerbils (my baby gerbils!) Or guineas! for you rich folks, there are sugar gliders, and Chins (LOOOOOOOVE CHINS!).

by GerbilruleHammiedrool on August 5, 2008 at 1:28 pm. #

10 reasons to choose gerbs:
1.:) Gerbils are happy babies (:
2. Gerbils come in almost one hundred colors!
3. gerbils are active! Hamsters are boring
4. Gerbils are tougher and less likely to get diseased
5. gerbils you can tame for stuff like agility
6. Gerbils are diurnal so they switch off between sleeping and playing around
7. Gerbils can live up to 5 years
8. gerbils are more fun to own and less likely to nip
9. Gerbils each have a unique personality. all hams are the same fatties
10. Gerbils are SO FREAKING CUTE! AND NICE!
Now you see how much better they are??!! also go to ABCgerbils.com and click on vs. hamsters it will explain everything! Hamsters are more likely to eat their babies!!!!

by Gerbilsrock on August 5, 2008 at 1:41 pm. #

Julia of meerkat manor i totally disagree with u. Hamsters are fat and ugly and pee on everything.they bite and are SOO uncute! My friend had gerbils when we were only ten and she was so happy when it died! she got it from a breeder! GERBILS AND RATS ROCk THIS WORLD!!!!!!

by Gerbilsrock on August 5, 2008 at 1:44 pm. #

i meant hammies not gerbils but i love gerbies so much i bye accident typed the word gerbil i like gerbils way better

by Gerbilsrock on August 5, 2008 at 1:51 pm. #

Does petsmart sell Gerbils? If they do they are cheap idiots

by choose on August 5, 2008 at 3:11 pm. #

Hey i have a question?
I am trying to choose a pet and i dunno which one i should get. here are my choices: Gerbil, Degu, Rat, Mouse, Cavy,Hamster.

HELP ME CHOOSE!!!!!!!!!

by boababe on August 8, 2008 at 3:50 pm. #

HURRY UP HELP ME CH0OSE PEEPS I NEED HELP!!!!

by boababe on August 8, 2008 at 3:52 pm. #

HAMSTERS STINK HAMSTERS ARE STUPID WITH THIER SHORT TAILS UGLY UUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYY

by hannah on August 24, 2008 at 1:21 pm. #

how about a mongoose?

by harpoon on September 8, 2008 at 5:00 pm. #

To Julia the Meerkt Manor: You are SO WRONG! Gerbils rule HAMSTERS DROOL! GERBILS ARE WAY CUTER! Hamsters only bite me every few seconds while gerbils stand up cutely every few seconds! Gerbils are much smarter and they are very nice. GET TWO GERBILS!

by Vixenfur on September 18, 2008 at 5:32 pm. #

Gerbils look like mini rats with that short hair and long nasty tail. They also have creepy red eyes and rat like heads. HOW IS THAT CUTE!!!! Gerbils are stinky, nasty, ugly, and just really, really dumb. Hamsters are the best. With a wide variety of colors and smooth coats of fur which they always keep clean. They are cute, cuddly, fun, curious and way better than gerbils.

Long Story Short: Hamsters rule the rodent world, Gerbils stink like your grandma’s feet!!!

PEACE!!!!!!

by Hamster Man on September 30, 2008 at 2:09 pm. #

Personally, I think hamsters are better… but it has to be a dwarf hamster. They are the BEST hamsters in the world if you give them some TLC. don’t pick them up by the extra skin on their neck because all the dwarf hamsters that I’ve had HATE that. Gerbils are somewhat cute but their tails are the most annoying things in the world!! They can break off easily (if grabbed or pulled on) and it must hurt them. My current dwarf hamster (Bella) is the most lovable hamster in the entire world and I love her 100%. she has bitten me twice but that was because I put my hand in her cage and she didn’t know. so I say (female) DWARF HAMSTER ALL THE WAY, BABYY!

P.S. HAMSTERS ARE NOT UGLY

by Dwarf Hamsters Rockk on October 5, 2008 at 2:04 pm. #

Rats are the friendliest, most docile, and most intelligent rodents by far. Do a quick Google search for “pet rats” if you don’t believe me. Sad to see so many myths about them here.

by Triskozko on October 14, 2008 at 9:05 pm. #

To be quite honest ‘Julia the Meerkat Manor Fan’, i have had gerbils, and i have had a lot of experience with hamsters, and i own two rats. Rats are by far the best, although everyone loves hamsters because they are so cute and fluffy and small, AND MAINLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE LONG TAILS (which is probably why you like hamsters so much, just like everyone else who has one). Gerbils and hamsters both bite a lot, especially hamsters and they do it for no reason at all. Rats only ever bite if you hurt them. My rats have never bitten me or anyone else, even when we first bought them (unlike hamsters). To be honest your hamster probably hates you because you keep it in a cage and all it does is try to get out, just like all the rest of them. Rats are the BEST!

by jack the expert on October 23, 2008 at 10:26 am. #

and by the way, GERBILS AND RATS ARE NOT UGLY!

by jack the expert on October 23, 2008 at 10:28 am. #

‘ann’ don’t get a hamster, they’re evil!

by jack the expert on October 23, 2008 at 10:30 am. #

‘Tyler’ is right! Both are no good get rats cos they don’t bite!!!!!!

by jack the expert on October 23, 2008 at 10:32 am. #

GERBILS RULE COS THEY GUST DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they cleaner, cuter and 100% THE BEST

GERBILS!!!!!!

p.s if my mum would let me i would sooooo get a rat. RATS ARE CUTE!!!!!!

by loopy loo on October 26, 2008 at 3:57 pm. #

Syrian Hamsters look ugly and are fat

by loopy loo on October 26, 2008 at 3:59 pm. #

dwarf hammys are kinda cute throw =]tehe

by loopy loo on October 26, 2008 at 4:00 pm. #

I personally love gerbils more than any pet in the entire world that i have ever owned. Cats eat your stuff, sleep, and poop too much, dogs can be hard to tame, especially in my house, fish are horribly boring, and bunnies have got to be the worst pet in the entire world! They bite, they get dirty, their hutch smells, the need such a darn big hutch, they are just horrible. Hamsters are nocturnal, so they keep you up at night but my gerbs are playing right now behind me in their little cage. Gerbils are more carefree and they are very very very low maitanance, which is good for a person like me who can’t keep a pet for more than a week. But my gerbs have been living for almost a half a year now. Hope this helped!
I LOVE GERBILS!!!!! [edited for even more excessive !!! - JS]

by Lulu and Booboo are my gerbil babies on October 31, 2008 at 6:32 am. #

Gerbils are way better! I’ve had both and boy did my hamster bite and she was just plain stupid. Don’t mean to be mean but… But my gerbil has never bitten me and she’s more fun to watch.GO GERBILS!

by Ashlee on January 4, 2009 at 6:44 pm. #

i have been trying to decide weather to get a gerbil or a hamster(i wanted a rat but mom hates them) but thanks to everyone who posted i have chosen a gerbil and i hate you rat owners you so lucky but at least i am getting 2 gerbils thanks! i will post more on my opinion tomorrow.

by hipeople on March 20, 2009 at 9:26 pm. #