Unfortunately, their calculations of Ming's age weren't possible without cracking open the clam's shell, so researchers didn't realize they were in possession of what was likely the world's oldest living animal â until they had already killed it.
Natural history. 1  All gerbils have long hind feet and fairly large ears and eyes, but there is variation among other characteristics. Body form varies from stout and compact to slender and gracile. 2  Most gerbils are nocturnal; a few species, however, are active only in early morning and evening or during the day. Gerbils walk and scamper on all four limbs and flee in running leaps when alarmed. Some construct short, simple burrows, but others construct elaborate underground galleries.
A suitable environment for gerbils. Ensure your gerbils have a suitable place to live. A comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean place to live, in a quiet place where they can rest undisturbed. Make sure they are not exposed to draughty or damp conditions but also do not keep them in direct sunlight or next to a radiator. An ideal temperature range is 20-24Â°C. A gerbilarium large enough to provide shelter, opportunities to dig and space to exercise, with adequate bedding and nesting material. Wild gerbils live in dry climates, in large, deep burrows that they dig themselves to protect them from extremes of weather and from predators. Gerbils have fur on the soles of their feet and so do not climb well.