>>11877579The Mongolian gerbil or Mongolian jird (Meriones unguiculatus) is a rodent belonging to the subfamily Gerbillinae. Their body size is typically 110โ135 mm (4+1โ4โ5+1โ4 in), with a 95โ120 mm (3+3โ4โ4+3โ4 in) tail, and body weight 60โ130 g (2โ4+1โ2 oz), with adult males larger than females. The animal is used in science and research or kept as a small house pet. Their use in science dates back to the latter half of the 19th century, but they only started to be kept as pets in the English-speaking world after 1954, when they were brought to the United States. However, their use in scientific research has fallen out of favor.