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Post by engel on Jun 17, 2020 10:09:09 GMT -8
Hi all I'm new here and currently don't own any gerbils. In the rodent world I have owned rats, hamsters and a rabbit (kinda) so this will be new to me.
I have notices in a rescue near by that there are a pair of gerbils looking for a new home and was wondering if anyone could answer a few questions regarding them and just share their knowledge with me.
-are there any cages on the market suitable for 2 gerbils? Please note I have 0 DIY skills and just about managed putting wire on my hamsters cage.
What size cage should I be looking at?
-is there such think as too much substrate?
-do they need a wheel? What size?
-do they need to live in pairs? Specifically males? Will males be aggressive towards each other? (Like mice)
-any DOS and DON'TS?
-Any other valuable bits of info?
Thanks
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Post by gerbilord on Jun 17, 2020 11:09:36 GMT -8
Hi and welcome to the Forum!
- depending on where you live there might be more or less suitable cages for gerbils, don't go for pet store cages as they are usually too small. The best cage to go for (in my opinion) is a 20 gallon glass tank, this is suitable for 2 gerbils. - I don't think there's ever too much bedding for gerbils, they LOVE to dig tunnels and its really amusing to watch. I'd say 6 inches at the very minimum. - Not everyone uses a wheel, my gerbils didn't know how to use it at first, but after a while something clicked in their little brains and now they wouldn't live without it. The minimum wheel size is 8 inches in diameter, smaller may bend their backs, so opt for larger where possible. - gerbils must live in pairs, they are sociable animals, like guinea pigs. There aren't any problems concerning housing males together, especially if they have known each other already. I have two female gerbils and they get along great, and I know a lot of people with male pairs. I don't recommend more than pairs though, as the more there are, the more likely of a declan/falling out. - NEVER pick a gerbil up by it's tail, they are very delicate and can break off if pulled. Make sure their cage is not near a draft or in direct sunlight. Ensure they always have access to fresh water and food. Give gerbils plenty of cardboard to chew- their favourite toy is an empty loo/kitchen roll! Never give them a bath (with water), instead give them a sand bath, with some safe and dust-free sand, just put it in something like a Tupperware box and they'll roll around in it. Stay calm when you're holding them- I've found the more tense i am, the more stressed/fidgety they get. - give them fresh food sparingly (they don't need much as they're desert animals) any other information that I have forgotten to mention can likely be found on this Forum, if you are stuck don't hesitate to post a thread! Hope this helps and good luck with the gerbils! x
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Jun 17, 2020 11:59:22 GMT -8
Hi,
There are a few suitable cages nowadays in the UK. These are: Kerry terrarium, Falco gerbilarium (either size), Marrakesh terrarium, Ferplast Gabry 80. I also have a very big tank from Junglepets.co.uk who make custom tanks with mesh lids. Personally I think 70x40x40cm and upwards is a good size for a pair.
I don't think you can have too much bedding as long as it has plenty of hay for tunnel support. Other the tunnels will fall in and the deep bedding will be a waste.
Gerbils don't need wheels, but you can provide one if you want to. 20cm is the minimum size but I always use 28cm wheels because I hate to see my gerbils' tails curving in a smaller one. You shouldn't sacrifice digging space for a wheel though. If you have a tank with a topper where you can put a wheel, by all means have one, but digging space is more important. Mine only have their wheel when they're out of the tank, but they don't really use it much.
Gerbils do need to live in pairs (or more, but pairs are best). Males aren't any more likely to fight than females, unlike with mice. Some people say males are less likely to fight.
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Post by betty on Jun 20, 2020 19:37:18 GMT -8
Hey engel - I hope you search is all going well and you have found your answers somewhere? If not - so ask again anything specific that you want help with. There is always something new to learn about gerbils - but the best clan (more than one gerbil and ideally two same-sex siblings) is the most important thing at the start if you have the choice. Finding a friend afterwards isn't usuallly too hard or too difficult but it can take time and resources. Anyway - let us know how it's going?
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Post by engel on Sept 6, 2020 15:54:39 GMT -8
Hi, There are a few suitable cages nowadays in the UK. These are: Kerry terrarium, Falco gerbilarium (either size), Marrakesh terrarium, Ferplast Gabry 80. I also have a very big tank from Junglepets.co.uk who make custom tanks with mesh lids. Personally I think 70x40x40cm and upwards is a good size for a pair. I don't think you can have too much bedding as long as it has plenty of hay for tunnel support. Other the tunnels will fall in and the deep bedding will be a waste. Gerbils don't need wheels, but you can provide one if you want to. 20cm is the minimum size but I always use 28cm wheels because I hate to see my gerbils' tails curving in a smaller one. You shouldn't sacrifice digging space for a wheel though. If you have a tank with a topper where you can put a wheel, by all means have one, but digging space is more important. Mine only have their wheel when they're out of the tank, but they don't really use it much. Gerbils do need to live in pairs (or more, but pairs are best). Males aren't any more likely to fight than females, unlike with mice. Some people say males are less likely to fight. Sorry it's been a while, forgot my login. I like the idea of the Marrakesh BUT can't they chew through the wood at the top? I have a zoozone 2 for my hamster currently. Could I use this for 2 gerbils or not?
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Post by engel on Sept 6, 2020 15:56:34 GMT -8
Hey engel - I hope you search is all going well and you have found your answers somewhere? If not - so ask again anything specific that you want help with. There is always something new to learn about gerbils - but the best clan (more than one gerbil and ideally two same-sex siblings) is the most important thing at the start if you have the choice. Finding a friend afterwards isn't usuallly too hard or too difficult but it can take time and resources. Anyway - let us know how it's going? Hello and thanks. You'll definitely be hearing a lot from me as I'll no doubt have loads of questions. Is there a list or assured breeders like the KC for dogs and the NFRS (rats).
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Post by engel on Sept 6, 2020 15:59:26 GMT -8
Hi and welcome to the Forum! - depending on where you live there might be more or less suitable cages for gerbils, don't go for pet store cages as they are usually too small. The best cage to go for (in my opinion) is a 20 gallon glass tank, this is suitable for 2 gerbils. - I don't think there's ever too much bedding for gerbils, they LOVE to dig tunnels and its really amusing to watch. I'd say 6 inches at the very minimum. - Not everyone uses a wheel, my gerbils didn't know how to use it at first, but after a while something clicked in their little brains and now they wouldn't live without it. The minimum wheel size is 8 inches in diameter, smaller may bend their backs, so opt for larger where possible. - gerbils must live in pairs, they are sociable animals, like guinea pigs. There aren't any problems concerning housing males together, especially if they have known each other already. I have two female gerbils and they get along great, and I know a lot of people with male pairs. I don't recommend more than pairs though, as the more there are, the more likely of a declan/falling out. - NEVER pick a gerbil up by it's tail, they are very delicate and can break off if pulled. Make sure their cage is not near a draft or in direct sunlight. Ensure they always have access to fresh water and food. Give gerbils plenty of cardboard to chew- their favourite toy is an empty loo/kitchen roll! Never give them a bath (with water), instead give them a sand bath, with some safe and dust-free sand, just put it in something like a Tupperware box and they'll roll around in it. Stay calm when you're holding them- I've found the more tense i am, the more stressed/fidgety they get. - give them fresh food sparingly (they don't need much as they're desert animals) any other information that I have forgotten to mention can likely be found on this Forum, if you are stuck don't hesitate to post a thread! Hope this helps and good luck with the gerbils! x Wow thanks for sharing all of this. What mixes/pellets are considered best?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Sept 6, 2020 16:18:52 GMT -8
Hi again,
The Zoozone can only hold 6 inches of bedding in the bottom base so it wouldn't really be suitable for gerbils. It might work for older or disabled gerbils but generally an active pair is going to need a minimum of 8 inches of bedding, better 10-12. There is also the issue of chewing. I don't know if the Zoozone is like the Duna with a little hole for the water bottle, but if it is, that hole will get chewed so quickly.
Although the Marrakesh has a wooden lid, I've only ever heard of one gerbil chewing it and that was my gerbil Lily. Because of the way it's constructed I don't think a gerbil could actually chew out to escape, even if they did chew the lid. Generally (at least in my experience) gerbils mostly chew things that are in their way, so a cardboard box in the middle of the cage that disrupts their normal routes will get destroyed in minutes. A tank lid isn't really in the way (unless the gerbil wants to escape, which in a good size tank like the Marrakesh shouldn't usually be an issue) so it's less likely to be a target. Lots of people have wood and mesh lids on fish tanks and I don't hear of those being chewed either. So I would say that the Marrakesh is an excellent option for gerbils and the chances of the wood being a problem are quite low.
To find a breeder you could contact the National Gerbil Society on Facebook.
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