Difference between revisions of "Gerbil Breeds - WikiNormals"

Revision as of 13:17, 26 August 2010

WIKINORMALS SMALL RODENT SECTION

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. The selection has been derived from "The Gerbils" website at http://thegerbils.com/colors1.htm. Further information can also 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
WikiCommons
Spotted Agouti
WikiCommons
Argente Golden
(Argente Cream lighter)
freewebs.com
Chinchilla
(No Yellow Pigment)
home.wtal.de
Cream/Ivory
(Also known as Red Eyed Polar Fox)
WikiCommons
Dark Eyed Honey
(Also known as Algerian Fox)
WikiCommons
Polar Fox
(Also comes with Red Eyes)
geocities.com

Self Colours

Black
WikiCommons
Black (Spotted)
WikiCommons
Blue
Vera Bruckmann
Lilac/Dove/Sapphire
(Lilac darker than Dove or Sapphire)
freewebs.com
Nutmeg
WikiCommons
Nutmeg (Spotted)
home.wtal.de
Silver Nutmeg
(Also called Blue Fox)
WikiCommons
Schimmel
(Also spotted and red eyed versions)
WikiCommons
Slate
freewebs.com
Slate (Spotted)
Vera Bruckmann
Red Eyed White
WikiCommons
Red Fox
WikiCommons

Colorpoint

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

Colourpoint Black
(Also called Burmese)
WikiCommons
Topas
(Characterised by darker nose)
geocities.com
Light Colourpoint Agouti
WikiCommons
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.

Spotted Markings
Vera Bruckmann
Pied Markings
WikiCommons
Mottled Markings
geocities.com

Other Species of Gerbil

Image:Fat_tailed.jpg|Fat Tailed
(Pachyuromys-duprasi)

WikiCommons Image:Indian_gerbil.jpg|Indian
(Jird)

WikiCommons

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 Image:Honey.jpg|'''Dark Eyed Honey''' <p> ''(Also known as Algerian Fox)'' <br> WikiCommons
 Image:Polar_fox.jpg|'''Polar Fox''' <p> ''(Also comes with Red Eyes)'' <br>  geocities.com
 </gallery>