Gerbils, anyone?

Asho_DirtyPoo

I had one when I was 8-11 years old...and haven't had one since (I'm 22 now!).

I want to get one. Or maybe two.

What're your thoughts on gerbils? Is it very important that I get more than one? Should I get two males, or two females (if I get more than one)? Should I get a male or a female (if I get just one)?

Twig

Definetly get 2 as they are very social, and its not fair to keep just one. It doesn't matter what sex, although males are less territorial than females. Wink

I find gerbils fascinating to watch as they love to make burrows in their tanks. If you get one, please make sure you get a nice big tank, at least 20 gallons and use aspen of carefrsh bedding as pine and cedar are unsuitable. Give them plenty of it and watch them dig! Very Happy

Why don;t you have a look in your local rescue and see what they have in? Many rescues get pregnant gerbs in so they won't all be old. Also remember that should they become ill they'll need a vet, so prehaps look for an exotic vet in your area before buying them.

Good Luck! Very Happy

Asho_DirtyPoo

57 views and ONE reply!? Really!?

coliel

hi
my childrn have two male gerbils and they are great pets !
the boys hold them every day and they are realy confidant now - if you open the cage the gerbils run to you looking for a sunflwer seed !!
the only thing i would say was to buy a big tank not a rota stack or any thing like that as they chew constantly and have chewed their choobes up !!
we put lotts of intresting things in heir home now like shoes , toilet roles , branches , flower pots the works as they love to nore and hide in things.
they are a good size too so you can hold them esily but beaware that they can jump magnifisantly even out of the bath !! - i let mine lay in the bath as it gives some exersise but i cant leave tem as they will jump out of it !! - and then i worry they could hert them selvs with the fall !!
both my gerbils get on realy well together and so definatly get at least two but make sure their from the same litter as they dont like new comers even when they are babys and you dont want a girl and boy as you would have tons of babys !!
hope this helps
loe coliel

Natoni

I remember we had gerbils at school, they used to nibble the front of my cardigan my mum used to get really cross with me Smile

We had 2 gerbils when my son was smaller, they were great fun to watch and really friendly

storminstaffs

Hiya i have 4 gerbils 2 brothers that live together and a male and female that were used for breeding and then unwanted as the people couldn't sell the babies from them, which have to life in a slipt cage to stop them breeding but they can still see each other.

They make great pets its better to get them from a breeder who has been handling them regular and groups 2 or 3 are good 3 is better incase one die's and then you won't have a lonely gerbils as they are hard to bond when 2 gerbils don't know one another.

squidg

If you want more info on gerbils please see my link
http://gerbilbreeders.proboards99.com/index.cgi

Poser_Doll

Hey, gerbils are fantastic as pairs or even small groups.
my grandmother had a friend Carol, she had 6 gerbils, mostly all females.
And they had a huge aquarium cage.
And they were fun to watch.
i rememmber going to carols and seeing this huge aquarium with other levels and stuff was such fun watching them.

whallj

Get a pair of females as they are more active.

But if you get a mixed pair and don't want to breed vets can sort that out.

When i had a male & female i bred them once and after the first litter i had my male done by my vet which cost me £80 with the consoltation fee (but thats me) as my pair were happy together as i had them from 7 weeks old and the male lived for over 5 1/2 years and the female 5yrs 4months.