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Post by aal on May 2, 2010 4:20:46 GMT -8
Hey everyone. I used to keep hamsters but after 2+ years they've all moved on. Now I'm into gerbils and I'm wondering if my Habitrail OVO Pad x3 can be used to house gerbils. Basically its a HUGE habitat. I bought 3 of them and combined them but I'm wondering if gerbils can stay in them. It's practically impossible to gnaw on APART from the wheel. Is it still safe to use?
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Rex
Member
Rex-Adopted 5/3/09
Posts: 156
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Post by Rex on May 2, 2010 6:47:25 GMT -8
Well, it is plastic, and you've got to think like a gerbil: If there is a will, there is a way. Obviously, all members of the forum will reccomend you buy a glass aquarium, but if you're having troubles finding one, I think they may be able to stay in that for a short-term amount of time, just watch them closely, and is there any way you can take the wheel off?
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Post by aal on May 2, 2010 7:19:28 GMT -8
Well yes but for this particular brand, that's the only wheel that'll fit. Well I'll see how it goes, there's plenty of wooden logs, houses and all placed inside already.
AND, most importantly, can they climb up vertica tubes well? Lets say the gerbil is 2cm long and the tube is 4 cm long. Will they be able to climb it?
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Post by murphybuddy09 on May 2, 2010 7:34:32 GMT -8
To be honest I wouldn't even let them live in it short term, they can chew their way out in a day so is it really worth wasting money then possibly injuring/losing the gerbils? Also there's not really enough burrowing space or places to put toys etc. I would say that gerbils should only really live in tanks.
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doug
Member
Posts: 2,064
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Post by doug on May 2, 2010 8:08:03 GMT -8
In dealing with gerbils and plastic enclosures it is not if they will chew but when they will chew. The variables are age, number, and the gerbil itself. They could live in it for weeks and then the decide to chew it apart and you could have gerbils running around your house in no time.
The best bet is pick up a 10 gallon as they are fairly inexpensive, and then add a tank topper at a later time. This way you don't have to worry about them chewing out and damaging the habitrail which isn't cheap.
Doug
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Post by aal on May 2, 2010 15:35:31 GMT -8
I'll examine them for the first couple of days. If poop happens, I'll get the tank. But from where I come from, a ten gallon alone will cost me almost $70... But I will buy it if I must.
But can they climb up tubes?
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Post by ohmylokix on May 2, 2010 16:07:32 GMT -8
Remember that the sections can make them fight.
A tank and lid from Petco/Petsmart is $20. You can also get them free in places.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2010 16:20:31 GMT -8
Sometimes you can find things on freecycle. Tell people that you are looking for a tank and it doesn't need to hold water. Occasionally I have heard of places selling tanks with cracks at a discount.
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doug
Member
Posts: 2,064
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Post by doug on May 2, 2010 17:28:38 GMT -8
70.00?? where do you live? Ohmylokix is correct 20.00 will get you a tank and lid just about anywhere.
Doug
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gerbilmansions
Member
Owned by 4 dogs, 2 parrots, 20+ gerbils ,Oh and don't forget the 125 gallon fish tank!
Posts: 106
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Post by gerbilmansions on May 2, 2010 19:05:40 GMT -8
If I understand correctly you have 3 habitatrails fitted together? This is not a good idea. Having so many places for them to call 'home' will cause them to de-clan. It may not happen in the first few weeks, it is something that will happen in time as they settle in. This will result in them fighting.
Doug is so right when he said "it is not 'if' it is when they chew it." A tank is the best home for a gerbil and petco has them for $20 with lid.
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Post by aal on May 3, 2010 6:31:48 GMT -8
Yeah I heard about the declanning thing. I've already narrowed it down to just one Habitrail OVO with many tubes and different compartments. I have no interests in my first pair of gerbils fighting over territory Oh and I forgot to mention I live in Singapore, South East Asia, and yes the cheapest 10gallon I've ever seen is at $70 Dollars. Singaporean currency is slightly lower than America's but not by that much. $1 Singapore= $1.25 American if I'm not wrong.
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Post by ohmylokix on May 3, 2010 11:23:55 GMT -8
Even just one habitrail can be dangerous.
Can you ask pet shops if they have any cracked/non-water-sealed tanks? You'll definitely be needing one soon!
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Post by murphybuddy09 on May 3, 2010 11:37:49 GMT -8
I agree, most pet shops will have tanks with cracks in which are suitable for gerbils but not fish. You can sometimes pick them up cheaply second-hand too.
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doug
Member
Posts: 2,064
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Post by doug on May 3, 2010 18:36:01 GMT -8
I understand the cost now, I have been to Singapore. Unfortunately the odds of finding of cracked or leaking tank at a store over there are slim to none, I would keep an eye out on some of the markets there, maybe you will get lucky.
I love the MRT (correct name?) over there, you can get just about anywhere.
Doug
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Post by aal on May 4, 2010 2:07:52 GMT -8
Thanks for the comments about home ;D True, our MRT's are rated as one of the best transport systems. (Mass Rapid Transport) Anyways, so far as I can tell, there have been no spots for them to chew on. And they haven't chewed on anything at all. One thing, As you all would probably know, the OVO has little ground space. So I removed the wheel (which they just poop and piss on) and filled an entire bag of aspen shavings inside. It's around 6-7 inches now For some reason, they like to carry the bedding into a compartment, and COMPLETELY fill it up with it. Anyone knows the reason? I've given up on putting food into compartments as they just get drowned by the bedding and I just scatter the food around the main habitat. They haven't been digging any tunnels yet. I'll update when they start and I'll do my best to post a picture of the OVO.
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