Argente Golden

Argente golden is a color variety of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, rather than a separate breed. It is usually described as a warm orange or golden-orange gerbil with pale silver ticking through the coat and red to ruby eyes from pink-eye dilution. The shade can range from light apricot to deeper orange, and white spotting or pied patterning may occur if separate spotting genes are present. Compared with golden agouti, argente golden lacks the strong black ticking and has a softer, brighter appearance.

Argente golden gerbils are kept and bred like other domestic gerbils: in same-sex pairs or stable groups, with deep bedding for digging, a sand bath, a solid exercise wheel, and cardboard or hay for chewing. The color does not require special care, though red-eyed animals may appear more sensitive in harsh light. Breeders who want predictable argente litters need to understand recessive color genetics and should select for health, temperament, and good body condition before shade.

Colors: Dark Orange Base with Silver Ticking, Light Orange Base with Silver Ticking, Medium Orange Base with Silver Ticking