Gerbils are small rodents that are kept as pets all over the world, although the species originates from Mongolia. Their full name, the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), reflects their origin; ...

Your gerbil will hoard food for later. They often bury food in the nooks and crannies of their cage or under the shredded paper on the floor, but they won't remember where it is after a few hours.

Brain food: If it helps gerbils, it could help you. July 3, 2008, 12:27 PM EDT / Source: LiveScience. Scientists have figured out how to make gerbils smarter and hope the findings can be applied ...

And hamsters have expansive cheek pouches that they fill with food, which gerbils don’t have. Another difference is that gerbils are known to stand on their hind legs more than hamsters.