need some help!

[rachelann]

Hello everyone!
My name is rachel, I'm waiting to be approved so until then I need some answers!
I've never had a gerbil before, I've had just about everything else and I've read about them before so I wasn't walking in blind when I got one. I went to my local pet store the other day and the lady was cleaning out the tank and a single gerbil was in the cage, very skittish and stressed. The lady said that the cage mate had left awhile ago and the gerbil had been there for quite some time. After a long sad story told by the woman I took the gerbil home because I felt so bad.

She is all black with the cutest patch of white under her chin. She was skittish at first but she will jump on my hand now and will eat from my hand. Very good progress I believe!
I'm thinking about getting another one for her so she isn't alone. She is about 6 months old, would it be better if I got a younger one for her and use the split cage method?

Thanks!
Rachel

[eleda]

I got both of my gerbils from the pet store - about a month apart. They were both lone gerbils and I introduced them with a split cage. Since I got them a month apart, I think they're pretty close in age, but the split caging went pretty well. Also, the younger one turned out to be the dominant one, so I'm not sure age makes a ton of difference unless the gerbil is still exhibiting pup behavior - which all pet store gerbils will be past. good on you for bringing that girl home - she sounds like such a cutie!

[crittercrazy]

If the gerbil is under, say, 8-10 weeks, I'd say that is still a "pup" to some extent and that an intro might be easier with such a gerbil.
But introductions with gerbils that are the same age are generally fine too, so really it doesn't matter too much so long as you use the split cage method.
Congrats on the new gerbil!

[eleda]

when I asked about pup vs not-pup Moonstone actually said gerbils stop acting like pups around 8-10 weeks. not that it makes much difference to the OP - good luck with everything Rachel!

[crittercrazy]

Really? Well, Moonstone would know better than me, so go by what she says.