|
|
Post by tirilliel on Apr 28, 2005 10:16:37 GMT -8
I am having a disagreement with someone on what is the appropriate housing for a gerbil.. This person argues that.. a 10 gallon is a suitable living space. And you should have at least 10 gallons for the first 2 gerbils and then 5 more for every gerbil after that.
I told this person that I felt this was to small.. I can’t imagine how cramped living conditions would be for 2 gerbils living in a small 10 gallon tank with all their accessories included? I cant see how that could be any good quality of life..
In response I was told.. they have 2 gerbils in a 10 gallon, and 3 in another. And that their gerbils have enough space for their food, water, digging places, cardboard, and sand bath.
Ok I have one gerbil in a ten gallon right now and I can tell you with a sand bath,wheel a food dish a sleeping place and all the stuff there is no room in there. I feel horrible keeping him in there but its only temporary until I can get another bin cage.
I honestly think every one gerbil should be housed in no less then a 20 gallon tank and then another 5 gallons on top of that for another. I think the largest tank should be provided where there is enough room to accommodate it.
They also told me to remember, gerbils are very
small animals, and can live together is smaller spaces very easily. I disagree, sure they are rodents that makes them small, but they arnt very small, we aren’t talking mice, full grown Mongolian gerbils can pretty much reach the same size of a Syrian hamster.. is this just me that feels this is out of line?
Please let me know your thoughts. I just think this is an issue of a poor quality of life. In the wild gerbils would wander and forage for food, I just feel they should be given more space then this.
Is a 10-gallon suitable living space. And you should have at least 10 gallons for the first 2 gerbils and then 5 more for every gerbil after that is this honestly standard gerbil information?
|
|
|
|
Post by lizzy on Apr 28, 2005 10:42:56 GMT -8
yes 10 gallons is usually fine for 2 gerbils. 5 gallons for every gerbil after that is standard gerbil information too, I believe.
I've got 4 pairs of gerbils living in different tanks, and 3 of them have their own 13-14 (? not sure) gallon tank and the other pair have a 22 gallon tank.
Yes you are right that the biggest tank is the best, however I cannot see how it is necessary nor practical to have a huge tank for a couple of gerbils. (by huge i'm meaning 40-50) if you want to buy that size of tank, then thats good. But you have to remember that if groups of gerbils are in large tanks there is a risk of declanning, and making their own territories inside of the tank.
I'm not quite getting your point about how 20 gallons is the minimum for one gerbil and 5 gallons for every gerbil after that.. I've always seen it as double the original size of gerbil(s) therefore their living space should be doubled.
I do disagree with their statement of saying that gerbils are small animals therefore can live in small spaces... my pair of females that live in a 22 gallon tank were unhappy with a smaller tank, they would get close to the point of arguing and were always pissing each other off. I think this is because they are unrelated and were introduced. However some Syrians can get quite a bit bigger than gerbils- one Syrian at the pet shop I work at is about twice the size of my biggest gerbil!!
It depends how a 10 gallon tank is used, also. If theres just a couple of inches of bedding on the bottom, and the rest is filled with accessories so much that they can barely move, thats not good. But my tanks are filled quite high with peat so they can make their own complex tunnels so they can get the best out of their tank.
|
|
|
|
Post by lpn1993 on Apr 28, 2005 11:04:29 GMT -8
10 gallons for 2 gerbils is pretty much standard information. That seems a little on the small side to me. However, I don't think it's necessary to have 20 gallons for the first gerbil and 5 more for each additional gerbil. I originally had my pair of gerbils in a 10-gallon tank. They did ok in it, but I wanted to give them more room, so now they're in a 20-gallon long tank. I'm more pleased with that. If you feel that a 10-gallon tank isn't large enough, then definitely go for a larger one. I'm sure your gerbils will enjoy the extra space.  |
|
|
|
Post by tirilliel on Apr 28, 2005 11:10:42 GMT -8
I think that lame standard information, I dont think that gerbils need a so huge a tank there is a possibility of de-clanning. My gerbils are in a bin cages, the bin that my male and female were in is about 29"long x 15"deep. I honestly feel this is the perfect size for a pair of gerbils. I dont see how anyone could possibly use a ten gallon tank, add enough bedding to dig, a wheel a sand bath a water bottle and cardboard to chew without it being over crowded let alone 2 gerbils in one ten gallon tank, its absurd! The only time my pair goes into the ten gallon is when Im cleaning the bin cage. At one point the 10 gallon was being used for an addition onto the bin cage..  Look at that small ten gallon, now add more bedding, add a slapping area and a piece of card bored to chew and a sand bath.. I did and its way to small, my male thats in there now will be getting an extension n his cage because I feel he is living a poor quality life. He sleeps most the time in there when he should be up and digging and running in his wheel. My male is much larger now then how he looks here Maybe breeders that just want a ton of pups dont care about the space their gerbils live in but I feel the message given here should be that if you can provide something larger then a 10 gallon then you should. I mean shouldnt someone try and provide the best living condition they can for their gerbil, should they try and make their lives interesting? After all this is their habitat this is where they are spending their lives! Should we be giving people that message? I think saying the10 gallon is ok just makes people feel better about having a pet that they really dont have the room for. I think that the standard should be a bit larger then this, at lest a 20 gallon per gerbil. |
|
|
|
Post by imnotagerbil on Apr 28, 2005 11:11:49 GMT -8
I agree that gerbils need alot of space, and for me 2 gerbs in 5 gallon is really not right.... 20 gallons for 2 gerbs is really good, 10 is ok... 15 is good
It all depends on the gerbils and the owners
Right now since i added( i posted pictures quite a while ago) a bin it must be about since the aquarium is 22 gallons and the other looks around more than half 13017 soo:
37gallons for 2.. but that's because they are hopefully expecting babies
|
|
|
|
Post by lizzy on Apr 28, 2005 11:18:03 GMT -8
I dont see how anyone could possibly use a ten gallon tank, add enough bedding to dig, a wheel a sand bath a water bottle and cardboard to chew without it being over crowded let alone 2 gerbils in one ten gallon tank, its absurd! a lot of people don't use a wheel nor a sandbath. I've never given my gerbils a wheel because I don't like them and neither do they. as for sandbaths, they just get buried or peed in if you leave it in there too long. |
|
|
|
Post by tirilliel on Apr 28, 2005 11:44:11 GMT -8
a lot of people don't use a wheel nor a sand bath. I've never given my gerbils a wheel because I don't like them and neither do they. as for sand baths, they just get buried or peed in if you leave it in there too long. Well thats fine I understand that some gerbils dont like the wheels, My gerbils tend to tip theirs over, but its a safe wheel and I now weight it down with a flat stone to keep it from tipping, But mine do run on theirs and like sand baths. But brining that up.. if a gerbil inst offered a wheel how are they getting any kind of exercise? If you are keeping a gerbil in a 10-gallon with no wheel or anything besides some card bored a water bottle and food dish I cant see that any amount of bedding material to burrow in substatues that lost exercise and quality of life. To me that sounds like a horrible habitat to live in. Now Im not accusing you of neglect, I think that if a gerbil is kept in a small enclosure but spends allot of time out side the cage like in a ball or playpen that may suffice. I mean cant a person take a look at a 10-gallon and a gerbil and think that that looks all right. Does it not cross a persons mind that living in such a small space for you whole life must be very mundane and unsatisfying. Sure its a standard, but am I the only one that thinks it should be the minimum, in fact I feel its really to small and that if one cant provide something a little more substantial they shouldn’t have a gerbil unless they are willing to spend one on one time, Unless of course they can somehow rig up at lest 10 ten gallons for their pet. |
|
|
|
Post by AndreaS15 on Apr 28, 2005 18:47:23 GMT -8
I brought home my two girls in a 10g tank. I upgraded them to a 20g Long when I decided to breed one of them. I feel 10g tanks are sufficiant for 2 gerbils, Right now I keep 3 (young) in a 10g with no problems, they have 2 wheels, a house, big tube, water bottle and food dish, and still open space to chew up toilet paper rolls I give to them. I think it's really the way to set up the tank. Plus all my gerbies get floor/play time. The more space you give them the more likely they are to de-clan. It is "The Norm" for 2 gerbils to a 10G, and 5g for everyone after. It's been the info given for years and I think it's great houseing for someone new to gerbils. If you can afford something bigger and have the room go for it, But 20g tanks here cost $80 (with lid) and for all the gerbils I have now, there is no way I can afford that. Two happy gerbies in a 10G Tank www.hot4x4.ca/gallery/album140/acc |
|
|
|
Post by lpn1993 on Apr 28, 2005 19:11:47 GMT -8
They do look very happy and also very cute!! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by tirilliel on Apr 29, 2005 3:25:19 GMT -8
I find that the normal housing standards for most animals are usually really lame, They try and get the smallest amount of space they can to house as many animals as they need. And they practice saying this like it makes it "all right" To me I think its horrible and I’m actually kind of surprised at the amount of people that keep two or more gerbils in a small 10 gallon tank. I thought there would have been more people passionate at wanting to provide the best living space they can for their pets giving them the best amount of cage enrichment that they can. I guess I just feel that putting two or more gerbils especially in a small tank and cramming all their toys/cardboard ect in there makes for a mundane living environment, I see it as cramped and depressing.
I know allot of you do let your gerbils out of their cage to play and I think that’s great, if you cant give good cage enrichment then I agree that should be done regularly. But I still think that 10 gallon are being used by those people as an excuse to own a pet they don’t have adequate room for. And it sucks…
|
|
|
|
Post by lpn1993 on Apr 29, 2005 4:18:56 GMT -8
None of us said it was ok to put more than 2 gerbils in a 10 gallon tank. I said that 10 gallons is the minimum recommended size for 2 gerbils, and if you have more than 2, they need more space.
Like I said, I have my 2 gerbils in a 20 gallon aquarium, but that's just my preference. I don't think that a person should be criticized for using a 10 gallon tank for a pair of gerbils.
Gerbils should be let out for playtime regularly, regardless of how much enrichment is in their tank. They need the exercise and interaction with their owners.
I'm sure that all of us care about our gerbils very much, and are providing the best environment for them that we can. You're judging others because their opinions don't agree with yours.
|
|
|
|
Post by tirilliel on Apr 29, 2005 12:03:28 GMT -8
None of us said it was ok to put more than 2 gerbils in a 10 gallon tank. I said that 10 gallons is the minimum recommended size for 2 gerbils, and if you have more than 2, they need more space. Like I said, I have my 2 gerbils in a 20 gallon aquarium, but that's just my preference. I don't think that a person should be criticized for using a 10 gallon tank for a pair of gerbils. Gerbils should be let out for playtime regularly, regardless of how much enrichment is in their tank. They need the exercise and interaction with their owners. I'm sure that all of us care about our gerbils very much, and are providing the best environment for them that we can. You're judging others because their opinions don't agree with yours. Well of course I’m being judgmental because my opinions dont agree with others... no need to state the obvious, if I was accepting of peoples feelings toward the use of a 10 gallon tank then I wouldn’t be upset here now would I? And I know that non of you here have said your gerbils are in a 10 gallon tank but people have stated that they feel there is no problem with doing so, and I can respect that opinion but I still don’t like it. Further more I started this post because I was having a disagreement about what’s an "ok" standard size to house a gerbil in and this person did tell me that they had 2 gerbils in one ten gallon and then three in another, did you not read my original post? I understand that despite the size of cage its good for a gerbil to be let out for play/interaction time but they are probably still spending most of their time in the cage then outside the cage. My main argument here is that I think that saying a 10-gallon is ok for a gerbil or a pair, or even worse three is not a good message to be giving to people. It’s a lame standard and I think that we shouldn’t be encouraging people to provide more space then that. And I cant see why anyone would looks at a gerbil in a tell gallon and not see something wrong with it? It baffles me… |
|
|
|
Post by lpn1993 on Apr 29, 2005 13:05:16 GMT -8
You should be able to disagree with others without being judgmental. If you're not going to accept other people's opinions, then you shouldn't ask for them. Apparently your mind was already made up about the matter, and you were just looking for people to agree with you. You seem to think that anyone who doesn't agree with you is wrong.
|
|
|
|
Post by tirilliel on Apr 29, 2005 13:23:59 GMT -8
You should be able to disagree with others without being judgmental. If you're not going to accept other people's opinions, then you shouldn't ask for them. Apparently your mind was already made up about the matter, and you were just looking for people to agree with you. You seem to think that anyone who doesn't agree with you is wrong. Yes, I don’t agree with those people that think that keeping a gerbil in the ten-gallon tank is ok, I highly disagree with that. I wanted to know what people opinions were on that and I got them, Yes I already had my mind made up about what "I" felt was appropriate, I wanted to know what the majority thought about this matter. So far many people think it is acceptable, at lest they also state that if you can provide more room that you should and gerbils should be taken out for play time despite their enclosure size which I feel if a good message to put out aswell. But I am surprised at the amount of people that agree with the standard. I can accept their opinions, but I don’t have to like it. |
|
|
|
Post by RyanF on Apr 29, 2005 13:39:56 GMT -8
Tirilliel, you do not need to flame others because they have different views. The standard size for 2 gerbils is 10 gallons - period. You have the right to your own opinion, and you have the right to try and convince others to side with your views, but you do NOT have the right when you are flaming others for their views. I have already been sent complaints about how you are flaming others because of their views. Let's keep this a nice place for everyone, thank you.
|
|
