Two Gerbils or Four for this Cage?

[ghostbusterbunny]

Hi everyone,

Hoping you can help! I'm currently waiting for my new Skyline Marrakesh terrarium to arrive ( 96 x 47 x 38 cm (L x W x H) ) and I will be looking for male gerbs when it arrives. However, I'm not sure whether this cage would be suitable for four gerbils (if I was able to find four from the same litter) or just a pair?

I've never had gerbils before (I'm a crazy guinea pig lady), however I do like to keep my pets in as natural a setup as possible company/group wise and would have the space/ability to deal with any potential de-clanning issues should they ever arise. I'm just not 100% sure whether my cage choice would be appropriate for up to four gerbils as a lot of the advice I've read on cage size is so different to the standard 2x4/2x5/2x6 advice that I'm used to for guinea pigs and rabbits! I just went for one of the bigger ones that I could find! 

Thanks! 

[LilyandDaisy]

I would get a pair. The tank you've chosen is about 40 gallons. The rule of thumb for tank sizing is 10 gallons per gerbil, but that means if you already have four gerbils, you need to get at least a 40 gallon tank. It doesn't mean it's necessarily a good idea to get four gerbils to fill your 40 gallon tank. Pairs are the best option when choosing gerbils, because the risk of declanning is higher in groups, so if you have a choice, go for two. 40 gallons is also the minimum for four, it's better to go bigger, and it's an ideal size for two.

[catnut]

better to stick to a pair, esp. when it's your first gerbils. good luck with your gerbils, there are good sites on here on what to look for when choosing healthy gerbils.

[ghostbusterbunny]

Brill, thanks! My tank and other bits and pieces arrived today so now time to start looking for gerbs! Exciting doesn't even begin to cover it!

[catnut]

good you have the tank, hope you can find some gerbils near you esp. at this time. Do you want young or going to get rescues? sometimes you can find young rescues. Good luck.

[betty]

Hey ghostbusterbunny - did you get your gerbils yet?

How it is going?