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Post by angelbearpuppy on Mar 8, 2024 16:45:27 GMT -8
Hello! I'm hoping this thread is in the right place.
I haven't made any purchases yet and don't plan to until around June or July. Before considering getting a pet, I believe in doing thorough research and asking questions.
A bit about my situation: I am looking at them for a personal pet first, as well as a classroom pet, I work at a small Christian private school with only 10 students aged 4 to 4 1/2 at the beginning of the year. Our children are generally well-behaved, and the school has a strict code of conduct and honor policy. We have regular physical activity sessions, including music and gym classes and outdoor play. During those activates, we are out of the room allowing rest and quiet for the gerbils throughout the day.
Regarding fire drills, I can't control the alarm, but I ensure a quiet period afterward to help everyone regroup.
Our curriculum focuses on empathy, self-regulation, and caring for the environment, alongside standard Pre-K skills. I believe having a pet would align well with these values.
I'm considering gerbils because they are active and fun pets and I have not had the experience of owning them yet. I am an experienced pet owner however, and even an exotic pet owner, as hermit crabs are considered exotic and need just as much specialized care as any other exotic and poorly marketed animal. I have also owned Hamsters, cats, dogs and a variety of fish in my life.
I plan to leave the pets at school on weekends and bring them home for longer breaks. I'll set up a pet camera for monitoring and make adjustments as needed. I also want to cut down the stress on traveling. I would think switching environments every week for such a short time would make them nervous. Whereas a few times a year for longer periods of time not so much.
My main question is about habitat size. I'm considering a 10-gallon with a wire topper as it is my understanding that there is only a 4inch difference between that and a standard 20-gallon. However, the recommended size is 20-gallons, which with some rearranging I should in theory be able to fit if that is the best for them. I just have a small classroom already, and I also have a spare 10-gallon tank already. So, if I can utilize that I would prefer but want the proper environment in the end.
I'm also seeking advice on feeding schedules and care routines as I have been finding some conflicting or unclear information.
Any advice or constructive criticism is welcome. My priority is the well-being of the animals regardless, even if that means I do not get them at all, or make changes, I'm fully committed to their care and what's best for them.
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 8, 2024 17:45:33 GMT -8
Hello, and welcome to the forum!
Gerbils have some characteristics which make them less ideal as pets for very young children to interact with. For example, they tend to be very fast, skittish, sometimes jumpy, and like all small animals, are easily injured. That isn't to say you necessarily shouldn't get them. When considering all the options, you might still find gerbils are the best option. Gerbils do also have some characteristics which make them potentially better classroom pets than other small animals:
- they are active in the day, unlike hamsters
- they have next to no smell, unlike rats and mice
- they are easier to care for than rabbits, guinea pigs, or rats
Gerbils are very adaptable and they can certainly adapt to everyday classroom noise. They will cope with the occasional fire drill, even if they don't enjoy them very much.
It would likely be fine to leave them for the weekend with two water bottles and plenty of food, provided you can take them home whenever needed (for example if one of the gerbils is ill and needs extra attention or medication).
In terms of care routines, gerbils aren't very high maintenance. With the proper sized tank and depth of bedding, they should only need a major clean out every few weeks, with spot cleaning (sieving or changing the sand, cleaning the wheel if necessary, removing any obviously soiled bedding) once or twice a week, as needed. Most people feed them dry food once a day, and fresh food anything from a couple of times a week to every day. Gerbils are big chewers so it's ideal to give them paper, hay, cardboard etc a few times a week too.
A 10 gallon is much too small for gerbils to live in unfortunately. They are still recommended by some very old sources, but hardly anyone uses tanks that small nowadays. Even 20 gallons is quite small. It would be best to aim for a 40 gallon or bigger for a pair.
It may still be worth keeping the 10 gallon. Maybe you could use it when allowing the children to handle the gerbils. Because gerbils can sometimes be a bit jumpy (and children sometimes find the feeling of their claws unnerving and drop them), it would be safer to handle them over a container like a small tank, or just put the gerbils in the tank and let the children put their hands in to stroke or feed them. It would also be worth having for any time you do need to take the gerbils home just for a weekend, when you might not want to move a bigger tank.
I hope that helps. Please feel free to ask any other questions you might have.
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Post by angelbearpuppy on Mar 8, 2024 18:23:00 GMT -8
Hello, and welcome to the forum! Hi, Thank you so much for the response. If 40 gallons is the new recommended size from even the 20-gallon that does answer my question. Kind of makes me a bit sad, I don't think I have room for the additional 12 inches a 40-gallon tank would take, plus a proper stand to keep everything safe for everyone. Though I was heavily considering them due to their activity and smell. I was hoping that a 10 or 20 with a topper might have done the trick. It is easier to go up, instead of out in a smaller classroom. One of the reasons I have only 10 children is the size of the room in general. It is by no means crowded, an everyone can move around comfortably and have space to themselves, but every available space still has to be considered carefully. The only available space I have is on top a buffet table or credenza, I have heard it go by both where are daily schedule and turn in basket sit. The only other available wall is next to a door that goes between my room and the kindergarten room. I cannot block the pathway, and a shelf strong enough to hold a 40-gallon tank would defiantly stick out and block some of that pathway. It is our secondary exit out of the room in an emergency, so have to keep accesses and pathway in mind. If I can't put a toy shelf there, I doubt that they would let me do an aquarium shelf in other words. IT would also create a blind spot if kids got on the side of the tank, as I could not push it flush to the wall since the door would be in the way. It is a corner door and the way its placed is a little inconvenient. The other side currently hosts our toy shelf, but it is an older shelf, and defiantly not wide enough as it is a pretty skinny shelf. It was worth a try, and fun to think about though. Because I doubt a 20gallon with a topper would probably work either. Just assuming. |
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 8, 2024 18:27:38 GMT -8
Hello, and welcome to the forum! Hi, Thank you so much for the response. If 40 gallons is the new recommended size from even the 20-gallon that does answer my question. Kind of makes me a bit sad, I don't think I have room for the additional 12 inches a 40-gallon tank would take, plus a proper stand to keep everything safe for everyone. Though I was heavily considering them due to their activity and smell. I was hoping that a 10 or 20 with a topper might have done the trick. It is easier to go up, instead of out in a smaller classroom. One of the reasons I have only 10 children is the size of the room in general. It is by no means crowded, an everyone can move around comfortably and have space to themselves, but every available space still has to be considered carefully. The only available space I have is on top a buffet table or credenza, I have heard it go by both where are daily schedule and turn in basket sit. The only other available wall is next to a door that goes between my room and the kindergarten room. I cannot block the pathway, and a shelf strong enough to hold a 40-gallon tank would defiantly stick out and block some of that pathway. It is our secondary exit out of the room in an emergency, so have to keep accesses and pathway in mind. If I can't put a toy shelf there, I doubt that they would let me do an aquarium shelf in other words. IT would also create a blind spot if kids got on the side of the tank, as I could not push it flush to the wall since the door would be in the way. It is a corner door and the way its placed is a little inconvenient. The other side currently hosts our toy shelf, but it is an older shelf, and defiantly not wide enough as it is a pretty skinny shelf. It was worth a try, and fun to think about though. Because I doubt a 20gallon with a topper would probably work either. Just assuming. A 20 gallon long with a topper might be just about adequate, in my opinion. Of course cage sizes are very subjective and a lot of people do suggest a minimum of 40 gallons nowadays. |
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Post by angelbearpuppy on Mar 8, 2024 18:34:13 GMT -8
Hi, Thank you so much for the response. If 40 gallons is the new recommended size from even the 20-gallon that does answer my question. Kind of makes me a bit sad, I don't think I have room for the additional 12 inches a 40-gallon tank would take, plus a proper stand to keep everything safe for everyone. Though I was heavily considering them due to their activity and smell. I was hoping that a 10 or 20 with a topper might have done the trick. It is easier to go up, instead of out in a smaller classroom. One of the reasons I have only 10 children is the size of the room in general. It is by no means crowded, an everyone can move around comfortably and have space to themselves, but every available space still has to be considered carefully. The only available space I have is on top a buffet table or credenza, I have heard it go by both where are daily schedule and turn in basket sit. The only other available wall is next to a door that goes between my room and the kindergarten room. I cannot block the pathway, and a shelf strong enough to hold a 40-gallon tank would defiantly stick out and block some of that pathway. It is our secondary exit out of the room in an emergency, so have to keep accesses and pathway in mind. If I can't put a toy shelf there, I doubt that they would let me do an aquarium shelf in other words. IT would also create a blind spot if kids got on the side of the tank, as I could not push it flush to the wall since the door would be in the way. It is a corner door and the way its placed is a little inconvenient. The other side currently hosts our toy shelf, but it is an older shelf, and defiantly not wide enough as it is a pretty skinny shelf. It was worth a try, and fun to think about though. Because I doubt a 20gallon with a topper would probably work either. Just assuming. A 20 gallon long with a topper might be just about adequate, in my opinion. Of course, cage sizes are very subjective, and a lot of people do suggest a minimum of 40 gallons nowadays. What's important, is what is best for them in the end. I can understand, it's not like they can freely go waltzing around when they get cooped up. It gives me a little hope if a 20 with a topper might work, maybe I can wait a little bit, see what advice others might have as well, maybe something I haven't considered yet. It is mostly floor space I am worried about. The good thing is, I wasn't going to make any moves until June for just this reason, so I can get everything in order, make sure I understand what I am doing, for the best care possible. |
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Post by conniew on Mar 9, 2024 9:23:35 GMT -8
Hello, Angelbearpuppy, I would like to chime in here to say I admire you for doing proper research before getting gerbils for your classroom. There are experienced gerbil keepers here that are extremely helpful. I am also new to keeping gerbils and would like to share my habitat for my two gerbils. It may or may not work for you. I have a tank with topper that is 30 inches X 12 inches and 12 inches deep with a full 11 inch tall topper. My two girls are very happy there. This is the 20 gallon long tank size with a topper. It is hard to find toppers for tanks larger than 10 gallon unless DIY or custom made, at least that is my findings. I would love to have a larger habitat for them but I have limited space too. I found this cage on Amazon. It is the Oiibo Large 3 tier cage for small animals. It does have a full size topper and it is very well made although kind of pricey but in my mind well worth it. I hope this helps. Also there is the playpen area gerbils are suppose to have for time out of the cage. I have yet to set one up and I do not know if that would even be possible in a classroom situation. Just sharing what I have learned here. You came to the right place to learn about caring for gerbils.  |
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Post by angelbearpuppy on Mar 9, 2024 10:11:30 GMT -8
Hello, Angelbearpuppy, I would like to chime in here to say I admire you for doing proper research before getting gerbils for your classroom. Hey Conniew Thanks for the information. That gives me a direction to look into. I have thought about playground time. Being honest I could manage some short time outside of their cages. At least half an hour most days unless something is planned and an hour broken up in 2 sessions 2 or 3 times a week. Of course this would be normal circumstances and there are abnormal times in everyone's life. Like if we have a special event or party planned at school, but I should be able to manage that 75 present of the time. There best chance for the most playground time would be holidays. I could try supervised time during centers if I can be fully present and the children more trusted. Obviously not at the beginning of the year when everyone is getting to know everyone and what is expected. I plan if I do go through with it to have the empty enclosure there the first month of school to get the kids used to the sight of it. This way we can talk about it and introduce rules. |
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Post by conniew on Mar 9, 2024 10:13:21 GMT -8
Sounds like a good plan!
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Post by catnut on Mar 9, 2024 14:37:50 GMT -8
gerbils can declan at any time which means if that happens and you are not around, they could both end of dead, which would not be good for the kids or you.
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Post by angelbearpuppy on Mar 9, 2024 16:30:08 GMT -8
gerbils can declan at any time which means if that happens and you are not around, they could both end of dead, which would not be good for the kids or you. I have considered that. I have that 10-gallon I can set up for one on a temporary basis on an as needed. If I am there if course I'd stop the fighting. The same chance it could happen would be no different if they were home with me. After all no one can stay home 24 seven. If a skuffle breaks our while the kods are there well I can cross that bridge if and when it happens amd seperate them. I will admit that the weekend pose the greatest risk. Luckily I am required to be there at 700 each morning and the kids don't come in until 745. So if or in the worst case senerio the kids won't have to witness finding it dead. I of course hope it never happens. Unfortunately you run that risk with any pet in your life. All anyone can do is hope for the best and try to lessen the chances of it happening the best you can. |
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 9, 2024 16:59:59 GMT -8
I think you mentioned a pet camera for monitoring in your first post so that would certainly help with regard to declanning. If you can check in with yours remotely regularly (and are able to go into school whenever needed), that's not much different to the majority of people who spend long periods away from their gerbils due to work or even just sleep.
Most declans also don't happen overnight. They tend to build up over time. The signs can be missed but if you're vigilant and know what to look for you can often spot any problems before there's any bloodshed. Deaths from declans are uncommon, not because the gerbils wouldn't fight to the death if left to it (they absolutely would in many cases), but because declans are usually spotted before it gets that far.
It's definitely a good idea to check the tank every morning before the children arrive just in case of a death or something else they shouldn't see.
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Post by angelbearpuppy on Mar 10, 2024 1:44:54 GMT -8
I think you mentioned a pet camera for monitoring in your first post so that would certainly help with regard to declanning. Yes I would be getting a pet camera I could use to check in on them periodically for when I am not there over night or short weekends. Mostly for that purpose, but for there general safety so I can monitor them. That is my original plan. The idea being that if I do thus, I do it correctly and with as little extra stress factors on the animals themselves as possible, and still give them the best care as I can possibly. Such as yearly vet check ups during the summer, or any time needed. I did already check I do have a few vet that say they do small animal vet near me,via web search I just need to call and verify it. Both for their health but also the kids safety. One question that came to mind I see that some people weigh their Gerbials, is that a common practice? And if so what would a healthy weight parameter be, and how does one go about weighing their gerbil. |
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Post by Markpd on Mar 12, 2024 13:02:49 GMT -8
I'm not sure how common the practice is myself, but I try to weigh mine every 2 weeks, although sometimes it ends up being up to 4 weeks. 2 weeks is better though, so that you stand a better chance of catching an illness before it gets too bad (were that to happen before symptoms), as well as keeping an eye on general weight trends. And yes weighing gerbils is tricky! A bit like herding cats!  . This video (apologies I swore, mildly, at about 5s & 11s (because Blake ran off with the seed, lol), so mute the audio until after then if you're easily offended) shows you how I weighed one of my former gerbils (Blake), I do a similar thing with my current pair (just I put the scales in a different place). It would be better if their was a pile of seeds on the scales so that they don't run off, but that could cause them a weight problem!
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Post by angelbearpuppy on Mar 12, 2024 13:15:19 GMT -8
I'm not sure how common the practice is myself, but I try to weigh mine every 2 weeks, although sometimes it ends up being up to 4 weeks. 2 weeks is better though, so that you stand a better chance of catching an illness before it gets too bad (were that to happen before symptoms), as well as keeping an eye on general weight trends. And yes weighing gerbils is tricky! A bit like herding cats! . This video (apologies I swore, mildly, at about 5s & 11s (because Blake ran off with the seed, lol), so mute the audio until after then if you're easily offended) shows you how I weighed one of my former gerbils (Blake), I do a similar thing with my current pair (just I put the scales in a different place). It would be better if their was a pile of seeds on the scales so that they don't run off, but that could cause them a weight problem!
Hey, Yes I have seen the cage guide and been saving towards the things I purchase over the summer. That way I have sufficient time to not only get to know them but work on hamd taming and building their trust. Also if the pair I end up with ends up being extra skittish for some reason they will stay home with me, until such a time they are not skittish or they pass on. Joining this fourm was kind of like a first step towards that process. Glad everyone seems pretty friendly so far. Though I noticed that it says 20-gallon for two but I think most are recommending 20 with topper or 40 now from what I am reading. Thanks for the video by the way. That does give me a good idea. I am wondering if when looking back at your guys first pair and everything you have learned so far if there was one type of advice you could give yourselves what would it be? |
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Post by Markpd on Mar 12, 2024 13:34:51 GMT -8
Yea good work reading up on it months beforehand  Re our cage guide and 20 gallon, as mentioned in the guide that is a minimum size (perhaps I should add bare minimum, or absolute minimum), some months ago I added the line "A more optimal size for a pair of gerbils would be at least a 40 gallon tank (or larger), plus 20 gallons for each additional gerbil." Which pretty much covers it. 20 plus a topper is better of course, although for some gerbils toppers can cause declanning issues. I linked a couple of examples of that in our cage guide. Re after my 1st pair, ooo good question! I don't think I've been asked that before! Lol, err pay closer attention to body language between them (they declanned at about 1yr old), although I did note it from time to time (e.g my tail swishing thread) and I did catch them before a serious declan 1st time round, the 2nd time seemed to come out of the blue and it was nasty (luckily they fought to a stalemate from exhaustion and their were no serious injuries!). But maybe I was missing signs for that 2nd declan? |
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