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Post by elliriyanna on Nov 23, 2014 16:54:13 GMT -8
I am looking into maybe getting gerbils soon, However I am not sure how many to get. I have a 20 long currently and a 40 long in storage ( that will be pulled out once we move which will only be a couple months. ) I am more than willing to get multiple wheels, bowls hides etc. I am just not sure what number is best to start with, I always worry about pairs in case something happens to one.
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lizb
Member
Posts: 140
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Post by lizb on Nov 23, 2014 17:12:09 GMT -8
Conventional wisdom says two littermates, there's less of a chance of declanning (violent fighting). However, I have three boys in a 20L and they're happy.
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Post by elliriyanna on Nov 23, 2014 17:20:02 GMT -8
Littermates may be an issue as I would have to get them from the pet store so I won't know history ( This goes against anything i would normally do but they are just not a common pet in my area)
I was partly wondering because the upgrade.
Personally with social animals I like to keep a trio but I wasn't sure it would be the best plan for gerbils.
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Post by daisy on Nov 23, 2014 19:17:07 GMT -8
I heard and read that two boy brothers are the best and I went with that and have two happy brothers in a 20 gallon long tank. I got them at a PetSmart which wasn't what I had planned, but they were definitely brothers and had been kept together in the same tank. I first went to another pet store, but they didn't know if they had boys or girls and there were several in each tank. The PetSmart was an all "male" store and only had boys for all of their small pets.
Of course, a lot of people prefer girls, but I would go with boys. I am concerned about what will happen when one predeceases the other, but even with 3, one will ultimately be left alone. When that time comes, I will probably get two young males and try the split cage approach. I heard that works, but will need to read more about it before I try it. Anyway, hopefully, both my gerbils will be around for a long time. (Although I don't really know how old they are - another drawback of a petstore)
Daisy
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Post by elliriyanna on Nov 23, 2014 20:43:04 GMT -8
Yeah there are a couple pet stores here, Petsmart is the only one I really true but we will see how it ends up going ( which sounds irresponsible but I will certainly get two already caged together)
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Post by crittercrazy on Nov 23, 2014 20:53:09 GMT -8
Most people will say that females are more likely to declan and you should therefore only keep them in pairs. . . perhaps this is true, but going off my own experience, I've owned several females and done several introductions, no declans thus far. When I had a trio, it worked great, but I suppose they only lived together a few months before one of them died. With males, its generally said that they are less risky in larger groups. Still, my suggestion would be to just get a pair. Its ultimately up to you though, as only you can know what you can manage. More gerbils is in the end more hassle (bigger cage, more food, potentially more toys, etc.) but it depends on your circumstances whether or not you can do it.
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Post by elliriyanna on Nov 24, 2014 13:00:30 GMT -8
More food, Toys bigger cage .... All not really issues. I have a 40 long on hand if needed , I have had 6 rats before so large groups and their needs do not bother me. Personally I feel that I would like a trio, and a male trio would be easy enough to get I would think.
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Post by elliriyanna on Nov 26, 2014 13:18:39 GMT -8
I figured rather than starting another thread I would just ask here. I know there are different opinions but would a 10 gallon with a topper be ok for a pair? I want them to have space to burrow and a place to attach a wheel , food bowls and a water bottle and keep it all sanitary.
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