gerbils alive in over 100 degrees farenhieght?

[ecoa]

I bought a book called Gerbils , and in that book it says: "There is no difficulty in maintaning the correct temperature in a gerbil cage. Whatever temperature suits the owner suits the gerbils as well. Even wide variations in temperature will not cause gerbils to hibernate. They can tolerate temperatures over 100 degrees farenhieght and temps. below 32 degrees farenhieght. In there natural habittat they experence this kind of temp variation every year.............. (it goes on to say: this does not mean that the should be deliberatley subjected to them. they can tolerate 60-85 degrees farenhieght comfortably."
I was just wondering if this was true or not.
Ecoa

[doomgerbiluk]

it is true BUT temperature extremes are not healthy for them
remember in our homes thay canot build deep tunnels from which to esacape extremes
Heat is especially uncomfortable for them
Ceramic tiles or teraccotta pots kept in the freezer can be placed on top of cages to cool the air some. I also find when it is warm a terracotta saucer in the cage is popular. Plenty of bedding in winter will help them keep warm. But it is best to keep the temperature reasonably stable if you can.

One more thing,...... gerbillus species will not tolerate low temperatures

[sandy]

I keep a number of round, flat clean river rocks around in my gerbil room, and when the weather starts getting warm I put one in each tank. The gerbils drape themselves over the rock to cool themselves off, especially nursing moms, for obvious reasons. The rock takes a long time to heat up and is much cooler than room temp at noon because it has been cool in the night, and I assume in the cool night it retains the heat of the day. They love it!

[RitzieAnn]

Hey, that's a good idea Sandy! I know that if I leave the light on in Ritzie's tank, then she sits on it to eat. (I have an aquarium lid on it because it helps keep the pups warm, plus it's cooler than a heat lamp, so mom and dad don't mind their home being a little warmer.

[sweetie]

I tend to agree that 65-85 is reccommended. Keep in mind that in the warmer month, the tanks retain heat.