Gerbil vs Hamster

[Mari]

Hello,

I'm just wondering if any of you have had experience with hamsters & what were they like?

I went into a Petland going to buy a hamster, but the staff made hams sound like cranky, nippy, boring pets.
They said Gerbils are more interactive, more friendly and don't often bite.

So...I left with two gerbils, Cookie & Honey Melon.

Honey Melon is calmer, and will often sleep in my hands if I stroke her head for a bit. Cookie will too but she's more active. I like Honey Melon more, but, the thing I'm struggling with is that hams are MUCH cuter...& honestly Gerbs...not so much & make me feel a little creepy. Probably because of their tails. I like the chubby, &/or fluffy hamsters and gerbils are not at all like that.

The gerbils (particularly H.M.) are nice in personality, but I am trying to convince myself that I like them when...I'm not sure I do. Petland made an exception & said I could return them--I keep going back & forth in my mind.

I work FT so the fact that hams are nocturnal only bothers me in the fact that I'm worried I won't be able to sleep. I WANT a ham, but...are hams mean/have bad temraments? Looks aren't everything but I AM struggling with the rat-likeness of these gerbs.

Please gives your thoughts! I need to decide asap because Petland won't let me wait a long time for me to bring them back.

[icecontroller2529]

Hello,

First, no, I have no experience with hamsters. But I think this is not about the question whether gerbils or hamsters are better pets, it's more about whether someone is more of a gerbil person or a hamster person.

My thoughts on this: You want a hamster. You should get a hamster. Those shop assistants persuaded you to get a pet you never wanted, which, to me, suggests that they are not really qualified for their job. 
It's very clear from what you are writing that you don't want gerbils, you don't like them very much. So I think the best thing to do now, both for the animals and for you, would be to go back to that shop and give the gerbils back. And get a hamster instead if you really want one. 

I hope this helps you collect your thoughts and find the right answer for yourself, whatever it will be. Good luck!

[catnut]

if you really want a hamster, i would return the gerbils as they deserve a loving home that really wants them and thinks they are great. Gerbils are more active usually and make great pets for the right person who is 100% going to care and love them. Sorry to hear you were pushed towards gerbils at the store, gerbils do have tails but i don't find them rat like at all or creepy looking but i've had them for over 33 years.

[catnut]

which Petland did you get them from?