The Mongolian gerbil was discovered in the 19th century in China and reached the European continent in the sixties of the last century. Because of its friendly nature, its healthiness and good results in reproduction it was first used as a laboratory animal.
Later on it became a pet as well. There are some other related species used as laboratory animals or pets, but they did not reach the importance of the Mongolian gerbil. Therefore this study set priorities about husbandry and welfare of the Mongo-lian gerbil.
Presently there are no specific laws or regulations about husbandry and care of Mongolian gerbils. There are only some general rules laid down in the “Tierschutzge-setz” and in the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used
for experimental and other scientific purposes. In addition to this, numerous recom-mendations about the different housing conditions are available. These were to a great extent based on experience and practice, and in some points they differ considerably.
The aim of this study is the compilation of the present level of knowledge about husbandry and care of the Mongolian gerbil, and to verify this in order to meet the requirements of this species with the help of ethological methods. Recommendations for ideal husbandry conditions are derived from this finally. Informations gathered on this subject derives from literature written in English or German.
As a basis serves the “Tierschutzgesetz” together with the explanation of the key-words contained therein. This law mainly deals with feelings that are not defined and hard to prove. With the help of ethological methods it is possible to prove good or poor welfare in a scientific and representative way. Apart from ethological character-istics the judgement of the husbandry conditions takes place through physiological and pathological characteristics.
In the natural habitat Mongolian gerbils live in familiy groups in a defined territory.
Subterranean burrows offer protection against enemies and unpleasant climate conditions. Beside this these burrows also serve as a food storage and as a nest for the newborn. The natural food consists of a variety of plants. The demand for water is mainly covered by food metabolism.
In captivity the housing conditions influence the behavioral patterns and the state of health. Mainly under laboratory conditions stereotypic bar-chewing and stereotypic digging is noticed. Some negative effects on the state of health can be avoided by maintaining a regular cleaning schedule.
The intensive activity of the Mongolian gerbil underlines the need of enough space and three-dimensional design. Environmental enrichment satisfies the marked exploration behaviour. There is a strong need for a variety of stimuli, otherwise the animal feels insecure and unable to control its environment. Adequate type and amount of bedding satisfy the need for digging. Some branches, hay and straw help the animal to gnaw, which is another existential need. Hay and straw also serve as nesting material. To hide some food in the cage induces the search for food and hoarding it. Mongolian gerbils always need access to fresh drinking water in spite of the natural adaption to drought conditions. Because of the social way of life they have to be kept in groups or in monogamous pair formations. Animals unfamiliar with each other become extremely aggressive when kept together.
Deficiencies in housing conditions of Mongolian gerbils as pets mainly emerge out of ignorance. Under laboratory conditions special emphasis is given to practical rea-sons, economic efficiency and the need to standardize. Because of this the need for environmental enrichment is not always considered.
The currently used housing equipment is more likely developed on the basis of collected experiences rather than based upon scientifically justified findings.
There is only little knowledge available about the specific needs and ethology of the Mongolian gerbil. Therefore a need for more research in this field does exist.
8 Anhang I: Ausdrucksmittel und Kriterien für Befindlichkeiten
Ausdrucksmittel für gestörtes Wohlbefinden (BROOM u. JOHNSON 1993):
• reduzierte Lebenserwartung
• Wachstumsverzögerungen, Fruchtbarkeitsstörungen
• Körperschäden
• Krankheiten
• Immunosuppression
• Versuch der Anpassung durch Verhalten oder physiologische Veränderungen
• Verhaltensstörungen
• Selbstnarkotisation
• Aversionsverhalten
• Normalverhalten teilweise unterdrückt
• gewisses Ausmaß an Unterdrückung normaler physiologischer Prozesse und anatomischer Entwicklung
Ausrucksmittel für ungestörtes Wohlbefinden (BROOM u. JOHNSON 1993):
• große Bandbreite normalen Verhaltens
• Auftreten streng bevorzugter Verhaltensweisen in gewissem Ausmaß
• physiologische Indikatoren für Zufriedenheit
• Verhaltensindikatoren für Zufriedenheit
6 Kriterien als Gradmesser für erhebliches Leiden (BAUM et al. 1998):
1. Zusammenbruch des artspezifischen tagesperiodischen Aktivitäts-musters.
2. Stereotypien, einschließlich solcher, die sich auf Ersatzobjekte be-ziehen oder in Form von Autoaggression auftreten.
3. Ausfall oder starke Reduktion des Komfortverhaltens.
4. Ausfall oder starke Reduktion des Explorationsverhaltens.
5. Ausfall oder starke Reduktion des Spielverhaltens.
6. Apathie
Hauptmerkmale für Schmerzen, Leiden und Schäden bei der Mongolischen Wüstenrennmaus (GÄRTNER u. MILITZER 1993):
• gekrümmte Haltung
• Gewichtsverlust
• Krampfneigung
• Aktivitätseinschränkung
• verklebtes Fell
Ausdrucksmittel für Angst nach GRAUVOGL (1972):
• häufiges Absetzen von Kot und Harn in kleinen Mengen, Schreckurinieren
• Schweißausbrüche
• Hautblässe
• Zittern
• gesträubtes Haarkleid
• beschleunigte Herztätigkeit
• Augen, Nasenlöcher und Maul weit geöffnet
• bestimmte Lautäußerungen
• engstes Zusammendrängen
• panikartiges Flüchten
9 Anhang II: Kraftfuttermischungen
Kraftfuttermischung nach HOLLMANN (1997a):
50 % Haferflocken 10 % Gerste 10 % Weizen
10 % Sonnenblumenkerne 10 % Grünpellets
5 % Leinsaat 5 % Haselnüsse
Kraftfuttermischung nach SCHMIDT (1996):
30 % Hafer 30 % Weizen 10 % Gerste 10 % Hirse
10 % Sonnenblumenkerne 5 % Mais
5 % Mäuse- oder Hamsteralleinfutter Salzleckstein