Oldest gerbil you've had?

[queenofthenile]

I was wondering how old members' gerbils have been before they passed away. Much of the literature I've seen has the average lifespan at 2-3 years. An older veterinary text I've been reading (1997) has the max reported life span as 60 months (5 years).

I have always assumed that gerbils can live up to 5 years. I guess I've also thought that *my* gerbils will live to be that age. There have been a lot of posts lately that have been saying that 2-3 years is old for a gerbil. My youngest gerbil is over a year and a half now, so I wonder how long they will be with me.

So, how old is the oldest gerbil you've had?

Also, at what ages have your previous gerbils passed away before?

I've had 4 gerbils pass away/be euthanized so far:
Juniper - was about two when she sustained a back injury and had to be euthanized.
Birch - indeterminate age, but rather old when he died suddenly in the night (I'm guessing 3-4 years) - this was the oldest gerbil I've had pass away on me.
Nova - was only a year old when he succumbed to some sort of contagious illness
Asha - was 1 year and 9 months when she passed, leaving 8 unweaned babies (I had rehomed her to Crazycritter)

[sandy]

We had a gerbil male that lived for five years. I have not seen any females that lived past 2 years, though. However, I do tend to rehome my retired breeding females after they have three to five litters. My oldest female remaining in-house was born Dec. 30, 2003 and is still reproducing! I have finally split her up from her mate because I am slowing down breeding. Otherwise she'd probably be happy to keep going!

[kansascitykennel]

So, how old is the oldest gerbil you've had?

Also, at what ages have your previous gerbils passed away before?


A1: My oldest gerbil ever was Snow White, she was a saphire. She died just a few days before her 8th birthday.

A2: Goodness, I had about 3 that died very young about 4 days old. Unknown causes. I lost around 30 at about 2-3 yers old due to a power outage in the middle of winter. Most however lived to be between 6 and 7 years old.

[sorchajude]

what do most gerbils die of ? is it old age or are there others things ?

[kansascitykennel]

sorchajude said:

what do most gerbils die of ? is it old age or are there others things ?

Mostly old age though there are many unknowns and some illnesses.

Kathy

[AndreaS15]

queenofthenile said:

So, how old is the oldest gerbil you've had?

Also, at what ages have your previous gerbils passed away before?

Aphrodite - Female - Died at 3 years of age, it may just have been natural causes, but she wasn't in a sleeping position, I have a feelign she may have had cancer, she seemed lumpy to me.
Emily - Female - Died naturaly in her sleep at 3 years of age. This por gerbil had some sort of mental problems and wa a rescure from a pet store, when the poor gerbils family started attacking her and ate off one of her legs.
Vanentawny - Died at 4 years of age, after winning a battle with a bladder infection, and living 2 months after a major stoke that made her left side paralized.

My oldest gerbils right now are 2 males who will be 3 in November. Then 2 Girls who are 2.

My cousin had a male live 6 years.

[queenofthenile]

Thanks for everyone's replies. It seems that it is extrememly variable. I just hope mine are some of the lucky ones.

Any one else?

[panthershadow83]

My female lived to be about four years, I think.... I had her when I was around 8 years old. My sister's lived to five-ish.

[ashgerbil]

My oldest gerbil Rocky, lived until he was 2.5 years old and died of a very bad respiratory infection, Sooty had a seizure and died at 2 years, Sandy had a terrible accident and was 5 months when she died and Pebble died at 6 weeks of an unknown disease.
so as you can see, my gerbs havn't lived that long

[blackie]

My oldest gerbil is called Matilda, she is about 3 and a half. She has a lot of gray hairs but she is still active and is eating normal, and she runs around when I take her out. So I hope will live for some time still.

[peschanka]

My female Espresso ( from Finland) is 3 years old now

[doomgerbiluk]

My original gerbils were two boys, a pied argente called Bailey and a pied Black called Vladimir. That was 3 and a half years ago and both are still with me

[pixytwinkle]

mine are still young molly turnes one in july and misty will be one in october so hopefully they still have long left.

[gerbilsrgreat]

I had a guy tell me that his gerbil lived to the age of 8! Mine have lived to 3yrs, 5yrs, 6 months, and I have three that are 6-8 months right now!

[gerbillover2000]

sorchajude said:

what do most gerbils die of ? is it old age or are there others things ?

depends on what other animals live in your house...
for me it's mostly cats.

but i think we defated them. they haven't kiled for along time.
TAKE THAT KITTIES!!!
MUAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
sorry, hyper.