Gerbils are cute little creatures, no doubt about it, but some people seem to think that they’re not very active. In fact, gerbils are actually quite active. But because they are so active, gerbils are sleeping a lot. In fact, gerbils can sleep half of the day and half of the night.
Gerbils are known for their active nature, but surprisingly they can spend up to 12 hours per day sleeping! The Gerbil sleep cycle is divided into several 2-4 hour naps throughout the day. This amazing sleeping habit has many benefits, not the least of which is that gerbil brains function at a much higher level than those of humans when they are rested. Additionally, their burrowing skills are greatly enhanced when they are well rested due to their increased vigilance.
Gerbils are not nocturnal animals, contrary to popular belief. The truth is that these creatures are active during the day and sleep at night. In fact, some of them can only become active during the late evening and early morning hours.
How Much Do Gerbils Sleep?
Gerbils are not nocturnal, nor diurnal (active during the day) animals. In fact, gerbils are crepuscular animals, meaning that they are active at twilight. When it comes to sleep patterns, gerbils are not like cats or dogs. They have no set schedule for sleeping and can be awake at any time of the day or night.
Gerbils are the happiest when at a normal room temperature, which in hot regions will occur at twilight, so at dawn and dusk. Gerbils adjust their body temperature in order to remain comfortable, even if their environment is different from what they are used to.
The average gerbil will sleep for about 12 hours each day, but not at a time. They usually have 4 hours of small naps spread throughout the day and night. Most pet gerbils sleep equally during the day and night, but this can vary.
Why Do Gerbils Sleep So Much?
Gerbils are known for their active personalities, but they also need to take a break from time to time. The rodents fall asleep for an average of 12 hours a day. Gerbils are known for their ability to regulate their body temperature and sleep helps conserve energy.
While they’re awake, they’ll spend most of their time either digging tunnels or running on their wheel. This constant movement is necessary for their health; if they don’t get enough exercise, they can become overweight and develop health problems. Gerbils hardly ever sit still unless they happen to be eating or grooming.
Baby gerbils grow and develop very quickly, so they sleep a lot to compensate for the energy needed for their brain and body growth. If your gerbil is still a baby, it may take a few months to establish its sleeping schedule.
Why Is My Gerbil Sleeping A Lot?
There are a few possible reasons why your gerbil may be sleeping a lot. Some possible causes could be that the animal is stressed or feeling anxious, it is ill, or it just needs some rest. If you notice that your Gerbil is sleeping a lot more than usual, it might be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about what could be causing the problem and how you can help alleviate it.
Boredom
Usually, the main reason why a gerbil sleeps a lot more than usual is boredom. Gerbils are playful creatures and need stimulation in order to stay happy. Providing them with things to do is one of the best ways to keep them entertained. Enrich their cage with items such as a toy box, a hideaway, and pieces of furniture that they can explore. Gerbils love to play, so offering them things to do will help keep them mentally healthy and content.
Loneliness
Many gerbils enjoy a playmate, but if one is not available or they are no longer able to find one, they may become lonely and depressed. Then they spend a lot of time sleeping, meaning that they are not as active as they used to be. This can lead to obesity and health problems if not corrected. There are ways to prevent or correct this issue, but it starts with finding a suitable playmate for your gerbil.
Illness
When a gerbil is sick or injured, it will usually sleep more than usual in order to heal faster. Gerbils have evolved this behaviour as a defence mechanism, since it can help avoid pain by sleeping through it.
If you have a gerbil that is suddenly becoming tired all the time with no warning, it is important to take them to a veterinarian as not all gerbils are alike. A veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Gerbil Sleeping Habits
Gerbils are crepuscular animals that will sleep during the day and at night. Most gerbils can adapt to human sleeping habits, becoming nocturnal if they must. They usually sleep around 12 hours per day, in small naps of 4 hours.
Where do gerbils sleep?
Gerbils are rodents that live in colonies and create elaborate underground burrows to protect themselves from the weather, predators, and other gerbils. In the wild, gerbils will usually sleep in these burrows at night and during cold weather.
We recommend getting a large enough cage or gerbilarium with enough depth to create burrows in the bedding material. A layer of 10 to 15 inches will usually be sufficient to satisfy the burrowing needs of gerbils. The bedding material should also be easy to clean and provide plenty of hiding places for the gerbils.
Do gerbils always sleep together?
Gerbils are typically a very social species and they often sleep together in groups. However, there is no guarantee that every gerbil will want to sleep next to each other. Some gerbils may choose to sleep alone, while others may move around during the night. Ultimately, how much contact individual gerbils have with one another will depend on their personalities.
Different gerbils will have different sleeping patterns. Some gerbils will snuggle up next to each other and be awake, while others will sleep on top of each other and be asleep.
Can gerbils adjust their sleep pattern?
Yes, it’s possible that gerbils adjust their sleep pattern. Gerbils wake up when they hear noise around their cage and will adjust their sleeping pattern to the amount of noise they hear. So if you got your gerbils for some time, it’s possible that they changed their sleeping pattern around the noise you are making in the room.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gerbils sleep around 12 hours per day, in cycles of 4 hours. If your gerbil is sleeping more than normal, this is most often due to boredom, loneliness, or illness. It is important to take it to a veterinarian to determine the cause.
