Content
- Mongolian Squirrel Size
- Mongolian Squirrel: care
- Mongolian Squirrel Behavior
- Mongolian squirrel bites?
- Cage for the Mongolian Squirrel
- What does the Mongolian Squirrel Eat
- How to Tame the Mongolian Squirrel
- How old is the Mongolian Squirrel?
- How to raise Mongolian Squirrel
The popularity of Mongolian Squirrel has been growing over time, due to the limited space that more and more people in Brazil have to raise a pet. The Mongolian squirrel is considered an exotic pet as it does not belong to the Brazilian fauna. Data indicate that it originates from Central Asia or the Middle East. Also called gerbil and Mongolian rat, the Mongolian Squirrel belongs to the rodent family, is small, sociable and peaceful, gets along well in groups and, if in favorable conditions, can be quite docile.
Before purchasing a Mongolian Squirrel, research and read a lot about the species so that you can meet all the basic and special needs of this adorable pet. Stay on top of the tips here at PeritoAnimal and you'll know how to care for the Mongolian Squirrel.
Mongolian Squirrel Size
In nature, they are found in northern China and the deserts of Mongolia, where the climate is arid, with little vegetation and little rain. Are small rodents. the mini squirrel it weighs between 50 and 100 grams, and its face slightly resembles that of a mouse, having long tails with a tuft at the tip. They have several colors, the most common being called Agouti, which is the brown squirrel with a white belly. However, Mongolian Squirrels can also be found in shades of orange, gold, Siamese and Burmese.
Mongolian Squirrel: care
Despite being a rodent, having a pet squirrel is not the same as taking care of a hamster., which is another very popular rodent in Brazil. Hamsters are solitary and nocturnal rodents and cannot live in the same accommodation, whereas the Mongolian Squirrel, being a sociable rodent, prefers to live in groups and may even get sick if kept alone. That is why, it is important to know the species well to meet your basic needs.
Males generally do better in groups of 2 to 4, but females tend to be more restless in larger groups. Therefore, the ideal is to keep at least 2 or 3 in each house, in general, composed of only males or only females, if your intention is not to breed them.
As it is an exotic animal, very frequent visits to the veterinarian are not necessary, unless it shows inappropriate behavior, as it may be an indication of illness. Unlike other animals, the domestic squirrel does not need to be vaccinated. However, you must pay attention to the basic care you must have with the Mongolian Squirrel:
- Housing or the cage he will be staying in.
- Food.
- Conviviality.
Mongolian Squirrel Behavior
O Gerbil or Mongolian Squirrel is enough active during the day, unlike other rodents that are nocturnal, that is, more active at night. They are very social animals and have a docile temperament, if they are trained from an early age. It adapts quickly to the environment and is a very curious animal that often rests on its hind legs paying attention to everything that goes on around it.
Since the group is composed of squirrels that have grown up together, females tend to be aggressive towards other squirrels that do not belong to their social group, which can lead to fights. And while males are a little more tolerant than females, in general, in breeding seasons, males can also become more aggressive toward each other if they're fighting over a female.
Mongolian squirrel bites?
O Mongolian rat is considered a great pet because it bites only if provoked, in the last instance. It is normal for puppies to bite your finger, as they are in the "putting everything in their mouth" phase, to prove whether it is good to eat or not, in the same way that children do. It is a behavior that should disappear over time, as they are generally animals quite sweet.
Cage for the Mongolian Squirrel
The ideal accommodation for the Mongolian Squirrel should be calculated thinking about the amount of animals you want to have in that space. you can use rodent cages or make your own accommodation using plastic boxes by drilling holes or placing grids to provide adequate ventilation, or aquariums. Remembering that the Mongolian Squirrel is a jumping rodent, so the box or aquarium must have a lid with a grid or screen to prevent leakage. Do not leave the cage in a place too exposed to sunlight, keep it in the shade, in an airy place and without too many drafts.
As for the lining of the accommodation, you can use hay, straw, craft paper or even rodent bedding, which can be found in large Pet Shops. Bedding is important to keep your Mongolian Squirrel in an environment where he can perform his favorite activity, which is digging, gnawing and playing.
The lining also serves to absorb pee and moisture, should be changed every 2 weeks or weekly, depending on the type of lining you use. The advantage of using proper lining for this purpose is that it absorbs the pee better, avoiding the bad smell. Do not use sawdust from wood shavings such as pine or cedar, as they can cause respiratory infections and allergies in puppies.
Tip: Mongolian Squirrel Bath cannot be given with water. They should use a bath with baking powder or marble to dry bath, thus avoiding the risk of contracting pneumonia.
What does the Mongolian Squirrel Eat
for being animals from the desert, the Mongolian Squirrel is not a herbivorous animal. Your body is adapted to extract water and other nutrients from the animal protein you consume, since in the desert you cannot easily find vegetables and rainfall is scarce. However, that doesn't mean you will keep your pet squirrel without water. Since the food offered in captivity has less water content, it is necessary that you have a drinking fountain suitable for rodents with always clean and fresh water.
The food consists of proteins, minerals and vitamins. It is possible to buy food for Mongolian Squirrels in large Pet Shops, and offer snacks such as apple (seedless), carrots and cabbage. There is no need for a feeder, as the Mongolian Squirrel prefers to bury food and does not eat in the feeder like other rodents. You can offer large chunks of apples and carrots so that in addition to eating, they can gnaw and wear out their teeth, staying entertained for hours that way. Animal protein is also important, as they are omnivorous animals, so you can offer tenebrium larvae.
How to Tame the Mongolian Squirrel
With puppies it's easier, especially if you get your Mongolian Squirrel from a good breeder, as he will have done half the work for you, socializing the puppies properly. The Mongolian Squirrel is a rodent that quickly gets used to being handled, although never hold him by the tail, because contrary to what they say, the tail is fragile and can break causing serious problems for the animal.
To tame the Mongolian Squirrel, it takes 2-3 weeks. You can start by putting your hand in the cage, very patiently, not wanting to catch them at first, until they get used to your presence first. Over time, put snacks in your hand to attract them and, little by little, they get used to your hand, thus allowing you to pick them up and handle them without much effort. try to do this daily and don't chase them around the cage with your hands, it can delay the process.
How old is the Mongolian Squirrel?
Because it is a rodent and has a high metabolic rate and reproduction, they are animals that live little, about 3 to 4 years in good hygiene and care conditions.
How to raise Mongolian Squirrel
Initially, it is best to look for experienced professional breeders to obtain your domestic squirrel from a place that is trusted and recommended by others. Only then can you avoid many future problems. About the place for the creation of the Mongolian Squirrel, we have an important caveat: it must have a mild temperature, maximum up to 23°C. They must not be exposed to the sun or the wind.
To the Mongolian Squirrel Breeding, it is necessary for the male to be close to the female in the cage only in the reproductive period. From 65 days of age, the Mongolian Rat is ready to breed. In females, the heat lasts only one day, but with frequent repetitions. Her gestation period reaches 6 days and she can have an average of up to 6 puppies.
Once the puppies are born, after a few weeks it is recommended to separate them from their parents and divide them into separate cages for avoid fights. Males in one, females in the other. Females are often so dominant that they need to be alone in their cage.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to care for the Mongolian Squirrel, we recommend that you enter our Basic Care section.