Sole gerbil with inconsistent behaviours

[benthegerbil]

We got our gerbil from Pets at Home, a big UK chain and a reliable place. We visited in February but they weren't allowing adoptions due to Coronavirus so we came and visited him until just a few days ago when they said we are able to adopt!

He was from a group of 3, but was brought back alone. We believe he is 4 to 6 months old. They told us he will be okay alone because he's been alone for so long. However, many people are telling us he needs a friend. We can give him attention all day for his entire life (I work at home!) and we've got so many fun stimulating things for him in his huge cage.

He's very brave, having climbed onto our hands. Especially brave with me, where he's climbed up onto my wrist. He's happy with a hand placed in the cage, and very very inquisitive. Sometimes, he is extremely jumpy though. A slight movement will set him off.

Yesterday, he had multiple moments of foot tapping in his tunnel which was quite loud. He also appeared anxious in the way he stood. When we left him, he was sleeping on the top of the bedding which is something I believe they do when comfortable considering it wasn't that warm here. We left an extra cardboard tube in there for the night and heard him go absolutely wild on it.

He sleeps sometimes after 11pm and wakes up around 5/6pm the next day. He's been inconsistent each day we've had him, about 5 days now, so it's hard to learn his behaviours.

I suppose I just want to make sure we're doing everything right. Does he need a friend? Is there something we're doing wrong?

[londongerbils]

I personally would get him a friend. Gerbils are social animals and my pairs are always together, sleeping, playing and grooming. It may make him less nervous, as indicated by his foot stomping.

[betty]

Hello benthegerbil - and welcome to the forum.

Yes, people will always suggest keeping gerbils in pairs or groups and this is what the fancy wil always recommend as gerbils can really benefit from companionship. But that isn't to say they can't live on their own long term if there are reasons for that to be the case.

And seeing as your little one is around 6 months (can't really be any younger if he was in the store in Feb after already having been homed). He would proably do well paired up to another male.

Often when gerbils have been sold in a trio, they can have a squabble and the one that gets taken out is then branded as 'doesn't like other gerbils'. This isn't true - it just means they didn't get on with the other gerbils they were with at the time but could well become true friends with a different gerbil. I have had many gerbils who fought with their original 'friend' and then become life-long friends with a second friend.

Anyway, finding a friend can be a challenge though - but not impossible if you contact local rescues, the National Geerbil society for a breeder near you, or the very same PAH chain for another male single.

Look up Split Tank Introduction in the search feature on here or on google for more information on introductions.

Good luck if that is what you opt for.