Introducing a new gerbil?

[musical912]

Hi  

My gerbil’s cage mate passed away back in March but I haven’t been able to get him a new friend until now (we’ve been on lockdown and there haven’t been available gerbils anywhere). 

So now, I definitely need a friend for my little José. The problem is that I don’t know how to introduce a new gerbil. I watched some YouTube videos but I thought I’d ask for advice here as well. Should I divide the cage with wire-mesh (I have a 40 gallon)? Should I quarantine the new gerbil first? What happens if the introduction doesn’t work out? 

Advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.  

[betty]

Hello there.

Definitely have a search on here for split intro/split cage/split tank and have a read about all sorts of things people talk about.

If you are introducing using the traditional split tank method then yes, you do need a fully removeable but secure wire mesh divide between them.

If you are cautious of illness coming in (and you have a lot of other rodents) and are buying your new gerbil from an unknown or pet-store type location you may well wish to quarantine before starting the split. If you are sourcing your gerbil from a known and reputable breeder then it is optional. Main point of quarantine is - how annoyed/upset would you be if you introduced an illness that caused the loss of your original gerbil.

If your intro fails (however males are usually easier to bond), you have the option then of trying the split again but more strictly (in a 20 gallon space); creating a permanent split in your 40; or, housing them seperately either permanently or with the intention of trying to split together each of them to a suitable single new friend (giving you two seperate enclosures with a new pair in each).

Lots of options.