How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have been waiting for some jirds to become available in the UK for some time – and finally – our chance is here.
Two Persian Jirds have got my name on them!
So, What Are Persian Jirds?
In a nutshell – Persian jirds are giant agouti-coloured Mongolian gerbils. They have large dark eyes, really cute ears – as well as the longest king of the tail world tail.
With a tuft.
They have the same inquisitive character of your standard gerbils, and are very agile.
They aren’t so gerbilly in nature though, preferring to climb about all over the place like rats/chinchillas rather than hole up underground for days on end, digging and chewing everything to pieces (although their grass nest didn’t last too long in the carrier on the journey to my house).
Persian Jirds As Pets:
Just like rats and chinchillas – we are planning on keeping our Persian Jirds in a large metal mulit-layered cage with plenty of enrichment including hammocks, ladders, ledges and tunnels – so we shall be reviewing these products as we buy them.
And Persian Jirds live longer than fancy rats too – and don’t have the naked tail (Persians have the most plush furry tail ever!) and don’t have the marmite-odour connected to them – so we are looking forwards to having them running all over the place!
We have heard they are just as friendly too – so win-win potentially?
Persian Jirds are supposed to be nocturnal though – so perhaps this is the compromise?
What Do Persian Jirds Eat?
Similarly to Mongolian gerbils and Duprasi – Persian jirds are great on a grain and seed based diet – infact they love the grasses and flowers even more so apparently.
They also take advantage of the odd insect they might come across on their travels too – so live food will play a big part of their diet with us – just like with the duprasi. We may try them with the cat food biscuits and the hard-boiled egg that my doops love to much…
They love to hoard though – much more than other animals – and so days with no new food are a must otherwise they won’t use up their reserves at all – not only risking contamination – but wasting a lot of money in the process. No-one wants to throw away food if they can help it.
Anyway – that’s all for now – we have more research to do all about them. Recent information about their care is thin on the ground – so we need to dig deep.
No pictures of Persian Jirds to use just yet – so watch this space…
Feature Image – Persian Jird: Trevor Graham/Louise J Lowe
hi where did you source your jirds? -thanks!!
My jirds were originally from stock from Europe over 7 years ago and from a retricted line – so I am hoping to find some more in the next year from Europe also. I don’t think there are any in the UK right now as far as I have found out. I would have thought there would be SOME in the UK as pets maybe, but I have never heard of them.
Do you have any yourself or are you looking for some too?
RodentZone.
Hi, do you currently have any jirds for sale?
I’ve been looking everywhere for so long!
thanks,
Fran
Hey Francesca – and no unfortunately.
I would LOVE to have some jirds for sale, but not right now. I am still trying to build up my collection – and if I hear anything about any others for sale – I will certainly update this article for sure with loads of smiley faces everywhere…
Pre-emptive Yays!!!
RodentZone.
Did you ever get a collection of Jirds going? I’ve been interested in some for a while.
-Lizzy, long-time gerbil owner.
Yes, we still have 4 Persians here – but they seem to have a few new fans across the UK and there are several one sale about the place. How lovely to see videos of pups online regularly
Where are you based again and we might be able to set you up with some!!! Visit the UK exotic rodents FB group to get yourself started…
I can’t find the emojis on here for all my smily faces – Persian Jirds have been found and acquired – I am so excited.
I have found myself another breeding pair and some young females which I have brought back to the clan to learn more about and look at what great pets these are and how I can enrich their enclosures – I just love coming up with ways to watch them think and play.
Watch out for some new articles coming soon with some great pictures hopefully – that is if they sit still!
Yippee.
Hi, hope you are ok! I got Pancake (duprasi) from your Linconshire breeder last year (she is doing really well!) have been looking at persian jirds for a while and have been directed back to your website when I was doing a search! Are you hoping to breed yours? Or do you have any contacts with people who do? Look forward to your reply either on here or you still should have my email address from pancake š
Hello again – and good to hear your little Pancake is doing well.
Yes, we are certainly also hoping to start breeding Persian Jirds, and will email you with some details or our own plans and another few breeders who we are aware of in the UK.
Fingers crossed for sure!
RodentZone
Hi, Iv searched for months and this site is very informative, however like most Iām struggling to source Persian Jirds, is this something you could direct me on please.
They are very hard to find really – I think there are only around breeders in the UK, slightly more in the US and plenty in Europe though.
Whereabouts are you based – and how many were you looking for?
I replied to your on the 8th via email with location details but not sure if you got it, thanks