Gerbils in the wild are neither nocturnal nor diurnal. They will sleep for short periods during the day and will sleep during the night. Although also active during large parts of the day, they'll be more active at twilight periods (dawn and dusk).

Do gerbils like to sleep in the dark?

Most animals have a preference for daytime or nighttime. Being nocturnal can make it easier to hunt or hide, but being diurnal (active during the day) can also be beneficial. Gerbils sleep for 6 hours during the day and 6 hours at night.

Why is my gerbil sleeping at night?

It's normal for gerbils to sleep so much because they burn a lot of energy while awake. But if your gerbil is suddenly sleeping much more than normal, it could be bored, lonely, or have an undiagnosed illness.