General Gerbil Quesrions

[Gerbilperson123]

I’m interested in adopting a pair of gerbils sometime in the distant future and have some questions.

would a 55 gallon, bow front (24 inch depth) or a standard 75 gallon (21 inch depth) work better? Is a larger cage bad and can cause declanning?

what’s the difference between male and female gerbils other than different genders (like temperament)?

are there any good breeders in the northeast USA?

can one Nietnagel wheel (10.5 inches) be used for two gerbils?

would it be better to get more than 2?

What are some differences (major or minor) between gerbils and hamsters (which I’ve previously owned) that I should be aware of?

thanks

[Gerbilperson123]

I forgot to add to this, the 55 gallon is a bit smaller than normal ones at 450 sq inches (forgot exact measurements).

[barryozzy]

Males are usually bigger than females. Females will go into heat. At least to me, the females seem faster and more active but the males are calmer.

You don't need to have two wheels and I think 10.5 is big enough.

It's usually best to have just two gerbils. The more gerbils, the more likely a declan.

Hamsters are nocturnal (sleep in the day), but gerbils are crepuscular. So they are awake usually in the morning and evening. I've never had a hamster so I don't know as much about them.

[yeti218]

I'd probably go with the 75 gallon tank personally. I do like taller tanks, for more bedding depth, but I think the extra size in this case is worth having a bit of a shorter tank for.

The idea that larger cages cause declans has pretty much been debunked. Set ups including multiple cages linked by tubes or single entry points is considered to be more likely to trigger a declan, because gerbils can claim one side and defend it from the other.

I believe males are considered calmer and less likely to declan. Females also go into heat every few days which can cause some different types of behaviour.

One wheel is fine. 10.5 is a good size. I used to use a 10" wheel which was fine but I upgraded to a 12" wheel which I prefer. I guess I've just adopted a bigger is better school of thought when it comes to wheel sizes.

Two is a good number. Sometimes people end up with 3, if theres an odd number of same sex gerbils from a litter, it's not very kind to take two and leave one by itself (unless you know it's going to be paired with another gerbil and wont be left alone). But trios are considered a less stable clan, especially 3 females. Sometimes people also end up with one gerbil due to a variety of circumstances, but they really belong with other gerbils.

Differences between hamsters and gerbils in my experience : Hamsters are much easier to handle and much less skittish (maybe not robos - I havent had those but I hear they are difficult to handle). Hamsters are less destructive. Gerbils will rearrange their whole cage right after you've cleaned it (its hilarious). You'll need to have a way to keep their wheel, sandbath and water bottle from getting covered in bedding. Some people use a divider with deep bedding on one side and the wheel, water & sand on the other. A cage topper is also great because then the whole tank can be for digging and building tunnels.

[Markpd]

Is a larger cage bad and can cause declanning?

Short answer is no , see here if you want info as to why I think that.

Just be careful not to create separate areas within a cage that can be easily blocked off by 1 gerbil.

Other than that, what yeti218 said

Oh btw, this is a 3rd alternative to partitioned section, or topper for the wheel etc.

So a raised roof, with a tall platform to allow digging underneath and (mostly) keep the wheel clear of bedding (the bedding has long since been level-ish with the platform btw).

This is more typically how it is (less the divider).