General Information:
Duprasi gerbils are also known as the fat-tailed gerbil. They're notoriously known for their club-shaped fat tail - where they get their name from. It's believed their tail is similar to a camels hump and is used for fat-storage. A healthy Duprasi will have a plump tail.
They live in desert environments in the northern Sahara, Egypt, and other Middle-Eastern countries.
They're an omnivorous species that exhibit both crepuscular and diurnal behaviour. They have a broad life expectancy with ages from 2-4 years on average documented by BSAVA, but ages up to 8 years have been reported.
Care:
Housing/Enrichment:
Similar to Mongolian gerbils, Duprasi gerbils naturally live in burrows. Ideal housing for Duprasi gerbils is a glass tank around 4-6ft by 1-2ft minimum. A glass tank prevents your Duprasi from being able to chew out of their enclosure, and also allows you to provide plenty of safe substrates for them to burrow.
Duprasi's need access to a sand bath to keep their fur clean and helps remove excess grease. Their cage should be enriched with toys to chew and plenty of hiding spaces. Consider providing safe wooden toys, coconut hides, hay, and cardboard. A 20cm diameter running wheel can also be provided. Avoid plastic toys.
Gerbils can adapt and tolerate a wide range of temperatures and humidities. Generally, it is advised to keep Duprasi gerbils in an environment around 17.8-22.2°C. Humidity should be around 35%-50%.
Nasal dermatitis has been documented in gerbil species and is associated with humidity levels above the advised range, however, it has not been documented in captive Duprasi gerbils.
Useful Links:
Duprasi gerbils are also known as the fat-tailed gerbil. They're notoriously known for their club-shaped fat tail - where they get their name from. It's believed their tail is similar to a camels hump and is used for fat-storage. A healthy Duprasi will have a plump tail.
They live in desert environments in the northern Sahara, Egypt, and other Middle-Eastern countries.
They're an omnivorous species that exhibit both crepuscular and diurnal behaviour. They have a broad life expectancy with ages from 2-4 years on average documented by BSAVA, but ages up to 8 years have been reported.
Care:
Housing/Enrichment:
Similar to Mongolian gerbils, Duprasi gerbils naturally live in burrows. Ideal housing for Duprasi gerbils is a glass tank around 4-6ft by 1-2ft minimum. A glass tank prevents your Duprasi from being able to chew out of their enclosure, and also allows you to provide plenty of safe substrates for them to burrow.
Duprasi's need access to a sand bath to keep their fur clean and helps remove excess grease. Their cage should be enriched with toys to chew and plenty of hiding spaces. Consider providing safe wooden toys, coconut hides, hay, and cardboard. A 20cm diameter running wheel can also be provided. Avoid plastic toys.
Gerbils can adapt and tolerate a wide range of temperatures and humidities. Generally, it is advised to keep Duprasi gerbils in an environment around 17.8-22.2°C. Humidity should be around 35%-50%.
Nasal dermatitis has been documented in gerbil species and is associated with humidity levels above the advised range, however, it has not been documented in captive Duprasi gerbils.
Useful Links:
- www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/detolf-glass-door-cabinet-white-80269122/
- www.burnhills.com/equestrian-c3/for-the-stable-c12/stable-supplies-c212/bedding-c213/ecoshiv-hemp-shiv-hemp-horse-bedding-aprox-20kg-p4737/s17407?cid=GBP&gclid=CjwKCAjw_o-HBhAsEiwANqYhp_OOXzlx_pzZeWgCBoTXjS3ziq2zXzzt0jcFgeuIO7o_EGdHnjSO0BoCmeMQAvD_BwE
- www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/tiny-friends-farm-charlie--harry-and-gerri-bathing-sand-15-litre?weight=1kg?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&cm_mmc=Google-_-CPC-_-%20google_shopping-_-google_shopping&ita=1976&ito=google_shopping&istCompanyId=7255ccad-a1fc-4729-af31-478f79e5071c&istFeedId=385e6b9a-8b03-4076-a8bb-e4737df8549c&istItemId=itxmxpxlr&istBid=tzwt&gclid=CjwKCAjw_o-HBhAsEiwANqYhp361W2C4KO05nwjWqXxLuVJT78tn3TzIubKstv-XQSqiD0-noCPpkhoC5cYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gerbil/comments/kcbqy4/my_two_duprasi_gerbils_and_their_new_natural/
Our own duprasi enclosure
Socialising:
Duprasi gerbils are social animals and can both cohabit and live alone - depending on the gerbil. In the wild, it has been reported that they even occupy other species burrows.
If your cohabiting Durpasis are fighting, then it is advised that you separate them immediately.
Like all animals, Duprasi gerbils can have a range of temperaments, however, they're largely considered to be more like Syrian hamsters than gerbils to handle. They're usually docile and rarely bite.
Diet:
In the wild, Duprasi's are mostly insectivorous omnivores. You can feed your Duprasi live insects in captivity for added enrichment.
To our knowledge, there is no concrete study confirming the best dietary proportions for a duprasi. Experienced owners report an ideal diet for your Duprasi should be:
Common Diseases:
Duprasi gerbils are becoming increasingly popular pets. It’s very important new owners are aware of the variety of common diseases in their exotic pets:
Duprasi gerbils are social animals and can both cohabit and live alone - depending on the gerbil. In the wild, it has been reported that they even occupy other species burrows.
If your cohabiting Durpasis are fighting, then it is advised that you separate them immediately.
Like all animals, Duprasi gerbils can have a range of temperaments, however, they're largely considered to be more like Syrian hamsters than gerbils to handle. They're usually docile and rarely bite.
Diet:
In the wild, Duprasi's are mostly insectivorous omnivores. You can feed your Duprasi live insects in captivity for added enrichment.
To our knowledge, there is no concrete study confirming the best dietary proportions for a duprasi. Experienced owners report an ideal diet for your Duprasi should be:
- 18-20% protein
- 6-8% fat
- 10% fibre
Common Diseases:
Duprasi gerbils are becoming increasingly popular pets. It’s very important new owners are aware of the variety of common diseases in their exotic pets:
- Obesity: Many pet duprasi are obese due to improper diet, especially if fed unlimited grain-based rodent foods. Some sources state protein levels should be around 18%. It’s also important that duprasi have the ability to exercise. A good way to increase activity levels includes feeding live invertebrates as this encourages them to work for their food.
- Mites: Mites have been seen regularly in duprasi. Symptoms include alopecia (fur loss) and pruritus (itching). It’s important you seek veterinary attention if you suspect your duprasi may have mites. Often skin scrapes or microscopic examination of cellophane samples are required to diagnose mites. Common treatments include ivermectin and selamectin.
- Dental Disease: Duprasi gerbils have been documented to have improper wearing of the maxillary incisors and overgrowth of the mandibular incisors, especially if their diet isn’t balanced (containing too much fruit and veg etc). Teeth will often need to be burred to the correct occlusion and husbandry must be amended.
- Neoplasia: Geriatric duprasi gerbils have been documented to develop various neoplasia; commonly trichofolliculoma and thoracic B-cell lymphoma. If you see that your pet has developed a new growth, veterinary attention much be sought.