What is another word for gerbille?
Pronunciation: [d͡ʒˈɜːbɪl] (IPA) 
Gerbilles are fascinating little creatures that are often kept as pets. These small, agile rodents are also known as jirds, desert rats, or sand rats. The word gerbille comes from the French word "gerbille", which means "small spade" in reference to their shovel-like front teeth. Jird is another popular synonym for gerbille, derived from the Arabic word "yird" which means "ground". Desert rat is also frequently used to refer to gerbilles due to their ability to survive in the harsh desert environments of their native habitat. Sand rat is another synonym often used to describe these furry little creatures, reflecting their sandy brown fur and their love of burrowing in the sand.
