Love my Hammies, but what about Gerbils? - Page 2

Schofield · 08-22-2012, 08:12 AM

10 US gallons is really tiny for one Gerbil let alone more. It's something like 8 UK ones. A pair would need at least around the 20 gallon mark. That is a tank of roughly 2.5 feet. A tank of around 3 foot is more preferable though.

HamSamich · 08-22-2012, 11:07 AM

I figured 10 gallons was too small, I was just saying that I have extra tanks around if I did have to separate, assuming I got two gerbils. I would prefer to keep them in a bin, because tanks are expensive around here! I love that the bins I can DIY, but I am scared the gerbils may chew their way out..

Schofield · 08-22-2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamSamich

I figured 10 gallons was too small, I was just saying that I have extra tanks around if I did have to separate, assuming I got two gerbils. I would prefer to keep them in a bin, because tanks are expensive around here! I love that the bins I can DIY, but I am scared the gerbils may chew their way out..

If you go for tubs that have any extra plastic on the outside rather than the inside so they can't get their teeth round them then that's better. Don't think they sell them in the US but the best ones are Really Useful Boxes.

fluffymunchkins · 08-22-2012, 03:50 PM

I would definitley reccommend getting two gerbils, though I only have experience with boys, they are very dependent on each others company. Much more than dwarf hamsters are.

My first pair were in the zoozone 2 for most of their lives, though I think glass tanks are better. You could consider something like a zoozone 2 if you couldn't source a tank. Its quite possible they would attempt to chew out of it, so a large flat sided bin cage could work also x

Nuri · 08-23-2012, 04:06 PM

I had two male gerbils at one point, and maybe it was just my two, but I WOULD NOT suggest havng more than one. They were fine for YEARS (It seems like I had them forever) and were of the same litter. Then I guess something happened, it was forever ago so I can't remember, and they ended up killing each other. >.<

Also, their tails are very fragile! Be careful with everything you put in their cage. Elephant, my sister's mean-as-all-poo gerbil tried to escape my mom one, and she had tried to grab him. Got the tail, which came off almost like a lizard.

Geroge was my gerbil, and while he didn't like being picked up, he did love being out of his cage. He would run all over, and actually licked me and stuff like a cat.

I loved them, almost more then hamsters, and I fully suggest you get one.

Schofield · 08-24-2012, 07:02 AM

Getting just one Gerbil isn't a good idea and can be quite cruel for a species who is supposed to live with company of its own kind. Of course as with any group of animals there is a chance some individuals may not get along and there's always a chance of declanning but more often than not they get along well.

racinghamster · 08-24-2012, 09:30 AM

I would only get one gerbil if he/she was already on their own and if female, would almost always have to stay that way as female gerbils are notoriously territorial and not easy to pair up. A pair is always best, but I do agree somewhat with Nuri because gerbils can live in harmony for most of their lives and then can suddently just start to attack their cagemate. This usually happens if one is older, frail or showing signs of illness. The other gerbil seems to pick up on this for some unexplained reason. I`ve had it happen to me on two seperate occassions.

In rescue, there usually are single gerbils looking for homes, so this would be the way to go if you only want to have one and have the time to devote to it. If buying from a pet shop (which I don`t advise as it fuels the trade in badly bred gerbils) I would always take a pair. But sometimes that can mean leaving a third gerbil behind in the shop if there are three for sale, so you would need to buy them all!!!