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Pets › Duprasi

🐹 Duprasi — Guide & Varieties

IN PRODUCTION   Companion mammals · 1 varieties mapped

A chubby-tailed, mellow desert gerbil that's calmer than its cousins.

The duprasi or fat-tailed gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi) is a small rodent weighing about 30-60 g with a body of 10-15 cm (4-6 in) and a distinctive plump, fat-storing tail. Native to North African deserts, it is more docile and slower than common gerbils and is kept in pairs or small groups.

Duprasi are among the more manageable exotic small mammals but still need warm, dry, sandy conditions and a secure enclosure. They suit keepers wanting a gentle, low-odor, primarily observation pet.

Popular varieties — start here

Duprasi

How long do Duprasi live?

Duprasi typically live 4-7 years in captivity with good husbandry.

What do Duprasi eat?

Feed a base of quality gerbil or hamster mix with added seeds, supplemented by small amounts of greens, vegetables, and occasional insects (mealworms) for protein. Do NOT feed excess sunflower/fatty seeds, chocolate, garlic/onion, or sugary treats, which cause obesity and toxicity.

Housing and space

House pairs or same-sex groups in an escape-proof tank or cage at least 60 x 30 cm for a pair, with a deep layer of sand-based substrate for digging and burrowing. Maintain warmth around 21-27°C (70-80°F) and low humidity; provide hides and a solid wheel. Avoid wire floors.

Common mistakes with Duprasi

Common errors are cold or damp housing, fat-seed overload causing obesity, mixing uncompatible groups that fight, and using wire-floor cages that injure feet. They are relatively easy but still need desert-appropriate dry warmth.

Beginner mistakes to avoid

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