*Millie, Maisie, Luna & Lexie's Thread*

[Charley101]

Originally Posted by gutterglitterxx

Aw cute!

Are gerbils very different from hammies?

No, not really. The only big difference is that they are very social creatures and should always be kept in pairs where possible. I think it is cruel if you intentionally go out to buy just one gerbil. However, if there is a lone gerbil up for adoption that is a different matter as it would have already been split from its cage mates.

They have what i class as basic housing and dietry needs (15 gal tank minimum but bigger the better, deep layer of substrate, wooden chews, toilet roll tubes, hay, gerbil mix, dried mealworms, millet, water etc...) and are friendly. I wouldn't say they are as cuddley as, say, a syrian but they do like to be handle when tame (you should NEVER pick them up by their tail though as it can do damage and be painful).

They are so funny to watch and when they snuggle up together it is really cute

Originally Posted by Kissa

They're gorgeous, makes me want gerbils now and I've never wanted them before

Out of curiosity, why are they two pairs, not a four?

The main reason mine are pairs is becuase Luna and Lexie are about a year older then Millie and Maisie so they all aren't siblings/cage mates. I would never keep more then 2 gerbils together myself as you can get a dominance issue and declanning, especially when hitting maturity. It is generally advised not to keep more then 2 females together as they are a lot more feisty and are more likely to cause problems. Male are ususally a lot more docile so more then 2 together can be okay, but obviously it's not always guaranteed

[gutterglitterxx]

The shop I always go to ONLY sells them in pairs. They won't allow anyone to purchase just one. They always have really beautiful gerbils. Even my mom thought they were adorable and she usually has a tail phobia.

[fluffymunchkins]

How old are your girls may I ask?
Curious to know as I'm not really that sure on average life span. I know they can live up to 5 years, but my last pair only lived about 2. My current are just over 2 and still nice and healthy, so I'm hoping they've got a good while to go.
I hope to maybe introduce a couple of babies if one is left on their own, as I'd feel awful for them alone after so long x

[Charley101]

Luna and Lexie are approx 15 1/2 months old and Millie and Maisie are approx 17 1/2 weeks. Average life span is around 2-4 years although can be longer. My last 2, Chip and Dale were nearly 3 when they died.

This was Chip


And this was Dale

[fluffymunchkins]

Thankyou
N'awww chip and dale, love it x

[MadAsAHatter]

Luna is gorgeous! Love the star on her head! I'd love to get gerbils

[Charley101]

Thank you They really are amazing little animals

[Charley101]

Originally Posted by gutterglitterxx

The shop I always go to ONLY sells them in pairs.

That's good to hear

[Charley101]

Managed to take a couple of photos of Luna and Lexie earlier. I was busy sticking a background to the back of their tank (just used my old wallpaper leftovers) as all the brown seemed a bit boring, when they came out to say hello Maisie's tank now has a background too and they all have a new log to climb on as well

I checked Maisie and she is doing well after Millie passed away yesterday. She was alseep when the photos were being taken so didn't want to disturb her.

Luna





Sleepy...


Lexie







Together





Who's who?

[gutterglitterxx]

Awwww they're really so cute. I love the "sleepy" one!

And again, so sorry about Millie. It's so scary to think how quickly our babies can be gone. xx