Golden Agouti

Golden agouti is the wild-type color of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, and the color most closely resembling the species in its natural steppe and semi-desert habitat. Each hair is banded, giving the back a golden-brown base with black ticking, while the belly is paler and the eyes are dark. In domestic gerbils, golden agouti remains one of the commonest and most easily recognized varieties. It is a color, not a separate breed, and may also appear with white spotting or pied markings.

Because golden agouti is close to the natural coat, it is sometimes favored by keepers who want a more wild-looking gerbil, but its care is no different from other domestic lines. Gerbils need a same-species companion, deep bedding for burrows, a safe wheel, dry nesting material, and constant chewing opportunities. They are active, quick animals, so handling should be calm and low to the ground. In breeding programs, golden agouti can hide recessive color genes, making ancestry notes helpful when predicting litter colors.

Colors: Dark Golden Base with Black Ticking, Light Golden Base with Black Ticking, Medium Golden Base with Black Ticking