Do Gerbils Hibernate?

Many animals are known to hibernate once the winter months roll around again, lowering their body temperature, metabolic rate and heart rate to see them through. They will usually gain enough body fat to ensure they don’t need to leave this hibernation state until the cold season is over. But do gerbils hibernate?

Gerbils do not naturally hibernate, but they have been known to. So in this quick guide, we’ll answer common questions about gerbils and their potential habits in winter.

Gerbils make great pets for families, but it’s important that, as with any pet, you understand all the possible behaviours and signals they might give in order to keep them healthy, so let’s dive in.

Will my gerbil hibernate?

The answer here is that it is unlikely. As we’ve already said, gerbils don’t typically hibernate in the same way other animals do to get them through winter in the wild as part of their biological routine.

However, gerbils have been known to enter a state of lethargy, which will look like hibernation since they will stay within any burrows and nesting they’ve made to sleep. There shouldn’t be any need for your gerbil to hibernate when kept indoors as a pet, meaning that you’re unlikely to see this more dormant state take over them.

So what is happening when they enter a lethargic state?

What would cause my gerbil to hibernate?

There are several things that can cause your gerbil to fall into a dangerously inactive state, including:

Cold weather: While cold temperatures indoors should be unlikely, it’s not unheard of. You should do everything you can to keep the room that your gerbils live in at a reasonable temperature. Between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius should provide a comfortable level that prevents them from becoming chilly enough to fall into their lethargic state.
Sickness: If your gerbil is sick, something they’re often good at hiding, they may show signs of inactivity. This can be caused by infections, tumours or even strokes, which is why it’s crucial to check on your gerbil regularly throughout the day.
Depression: A depressed gerbil may be prone to sleeping for more extended periods throughout the day and night. This might mean finding ways to cheer them up and keep them active, such as handling them or providing toys and interactive items in their cage.

How can I tell if my gerbil is hibernating?

We’ve referred a lot to hibernations and states of lethargy that you should be wary and on the lookout for, but it’s important to not simply confuse their regular sleeping pattern for this.

Gerbils can be active both during the day and during the night, which means there will sometimes be points where you find them taking a nap during the middle of the afternoon.

A good way to test whether their inactivity should be cause for concern or not is to gently pick them up if they’re sleeping – especially if you’re worried because it’s been too cold or because they’ve been ill before.

Once you scoop them up, a gerbil should slowly wake up and become alert, showing natural signs of excitement and confusion pretty quickly. If, however, you pick them up and they don’t become active within a few seconds, it could be a sign that something isn’t right. Refer back to the reasons for hibernation above and contact your local vet if you think your gerbil may be sick.

Why is my gerbil not moving?

If your gerbil doesn’t stir whatsoever and isn’t breathing, this may mean they have sadly passed away rather than showing signs of hibernation. You should check the temperature they’re living in first and consult a vet to make doubly sure it is not an early-stage symptom of extreme lethargy.

How cold is too cold for gerbils?

Just as we like to stay at a toasty temperature, so do gerbils. Try to keep their room above the 15 degrees Celsius mark to avoid some of the issues we’ve discussed in this piece. You can achieve a constant ambient temperature by simply setting your heating to come on in the winter months. This can either be set for times when you know it is coldest in your home or to trigger when it drops below a certain temperature.

It’s also good to provide your gerbil with ample bedding materials in their enclosure so that they can burrow and nest when they start to feel a slight chill. It’s not recommended that you keep a gerbil enclosure outdoors or even in colder rooms such as garages.