Gerbil Breeds - WikiNormals

Introduction

There are approximately 90 species of gerbil but most kept as pets are either a Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) or a derivative of a Mongolian. Therefore the examples included below are not strictly breeds but more of a selection of colours/types that are most commonly encountered. Further information can be found at the UK National Gerbil Society at http://www.gerbils.co.uk/.

Agouti Colours

Usually have a white belly and tri-coloured hairs. Usually grey near the skin followed by a yellow band and a black ticking at the furthest end of the hair. Eyes are usually black.

Agouti
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Spotted Agouti
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Argente Golden
(Argente Cream lighter)
freewebs.com
Chinchilla
(No Yellow Pigment)
home.wtal.de
Cream/Ivory
(Also known as Red Eyed Polar Fox)
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Dark Eyed Honey
(Also known as Algerian Fox)
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Polar Fox
(Also comes with Red Eyes)
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Self Colours

Black
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Black (Spotted)
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Blue
Vera Bruckmann
Lilac/Dove/Sapphire
(Lilac darker than Dove or Sapphire)
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Nutmeg
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Nutmeg (Spotted)
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Silver Nutmeg
(Also called Blue Fox)
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Schimmel
(Also spotted and red eyed versions)
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Slate
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Slate (Spotted)
Vera Bruckmann
Red Eyed White
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Red Fox
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Colorpoint

Characterised by lighter bodies and darkened points. Gerbil fanciers often refer to this genetic mutation as "Burmese".

Colourpoint Black
(Also called Burmese)
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Topas
(Characterised by darker nose)
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Light Colourpoint Agouti
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Colourpoint Nutmeg
Colourpoint Silver Nutmeg

Standard Markings

Spotted - usually small white diamond on forehead and sometimes around neck. White markings do not go down to shoulders but stay on back.
Pied - usually small white diamond on forehead, around neck and down to shoulders and back.
Mottled - more white markings than Pied, extending to lower back. In heavily mottled gerbils it may often be hard to determine the base colour.