how much space does a gerbil *need*?

[sismith42]

ashgerbil said:

I honestly cannot see how 2 gerbils can have enough space in a 10 gallon tank. I really can't. I've got a 10 gallon tank here, and I just wouldn't dream of keeping 2 gerbils in it. 1 gerbil is fine. Ah I can't explain it - a 1.5 foot tank is just too small for 2 gerbils! I'd keep two very young gerbils (6-12 weeks) in there as temporary accomodation, but not two adults. Not even two elderly or sick gerbils.

What I've always known is that the rule is 10 gallons for a single gerbil and add another 5 gallons for each eaxtra gerbil. 5 Gallons per gerbil just doesn't work. If you think about the size of the gerbil, and how big that is in comparison to the tank size, it's just too small

I just want to give out the right information so that people follow the right advice. In the end, it's your choice. Nobody has to follow advice, you choose to because it's what's best for your pet.
Personally, I've always liked to give my pets the largest space that is suitable for them, but it's your choice if you choose differently

Oh and I always go by UK gallons, or sort of in-between US and UK. I can type out a list of tank sizes and relative gallons if you would like

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity (I've a 2-ft perfecto (15.5 UK gal/18.7 US liq gal) + no plans to change, but definatly prefer to see missinformation stamped out, too... that and i like knowing the "why" of things ;D). Where did you learn the "10+ 5 per extra gerbil" rule from?

One think I think is kinda weird is how their burrows in the wild can be 2metres or so wide! How any cage could be big enough is a bit puzling, but someone, somewhere musr have figured it out (I tried looking for experiments on how much room they need is on google scholar, but got bored before I found one...)

Steph

[ashgerbil]

I remember there was a thread ages ago (couple of years back) which included a discussion about it, and it was decided that 10 gallons + 5 was a good size for gerbil tanks, although 10 gallons per gerbil is even better.

I don't know how the space was figured out. It's like with all pets isn't it though? Rats, mice and hamsters all have quite large territories in the wild, but in captivity they seem relatively happy in habitats which are smaller and very different (ie, gerbils are on wooodshavings, but in the wild they live in sand and rock etc).

It was probably worked out through size ratio. Like the length of the gerbil is in proportion to the size of the tank (like for example, a gerbil's body is 3" in length, 3"x4 = 12" length of tank = 10 gallon tank would be suitable. For two gerbils you double the values, (3"x4)x2 = 24" = 15 gallon tank. Of course this is just an example, it is not true to real life ). Something similar to that perhaps, although it could have just been through trial and error

The perfecto tanks are great, because as well as being quite large, they also increase floor space with shelving

I'll post up a list of tank size: volume in gallons tomorrow and the maximum no. of gerbils you can keep in each size tank tomorrow. I've got to go to bed now (exams tomorrow! ).

[ashgerbil]

Ok well I'm just going to post this guide here, so that everyone is absolutely clear.

I'm going to write the lengths of the sides of the tank (in inches and feet), the volumes in gallons (both UK and US) and the maximum no. of gerbils you can have in each size of tank.

18"x12"x12" (1.5 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot)
= 9.343 253 228 gallon [UK]
= 11.220 779 221 gallon [US, liquid]
= 10 gallon (approx.)
1 gerbil

24"x12"x12" (2 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot)
= 12.457 670 971 gallon [UK]
= 14.961 038 961 gallon [US, liquid]
= 13 gallon (approx.)
2 gerbils*

24"x15"x12" (2 foot x 1.25 foot x 1 foot)
= 15.572 088 713 gallon [UK]
= 18.701 298 701 gallon [US, liquid]
= 15 gallon (approx.)
2 gerbils

24"x16"x12" (2 foot x 1.3 foot x 1 foot)
= 16.610 227 961 gallon [UK]
= 19.948 051 948 gallon [US, liquid]
= 17 gallon (approx.)
3 gerbils*

24"x18"x12" (2 foot x 1.5 foot x 1 foot)
= 18.686 506 456 gallon [UK]
= 22.441 558 442 gallon [US, liquid]
= 20 gallon (approx.)
3 gerbils

36"x12"x12" (3 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot)
= 18.686 506 456 gallon [UK]
= 22.441 558 442 gallon [US, liquid]
= 20 gallon (approx.)
3 gerbils

36"x15"x12" (3 foot x 1.25 foot x 1 foot)
= 23.358 133 07 gallon [UK]
= 28.051 948 052 gallon [US, liquid]
= 25 gallon (approx.)
4 gerbils

36"x18"x12" (3 foot x 1.5 foot x 1 foot)
= 28.029 759 684 gallon [UK]
= 33.662 337 662 gallon [US, liquid]
= 30 gallon (approx.)
5 gerbils

*The gerbils are either very old or ill or very young (5-14 weeks), or the tank is to be used as temporary housing for this number of gerbils.

Obviously, it is much better that you have 10 gallons per gerbil. This is much more preferable, you just have to watch out for any territorial issues that may arise. However the '10 gallon for a single gerbil + 5 for each extra gerbil' is fine imo. You know, just make sure that they're kept stimulated and that they have frequent run arounds out of the tank

Although I'd like to put *alot* of emphasis of the 10 gallon tank. Ok for one gerbil, as a hospital tank, as a split tank or temporary accomodation, and that is it.

I'm sorry it's so long, I just get sick of the same bad imformation being given out again and again

[gerbilsalldaway]

That's a useful guide!

Handy!

[sismith42]

Ash, I'm not sure this is the thread you were talking about, but here's an old "how much space" thread:
gerbilforum.proboards.com/thread/166/upset-opinions-on-gallon-tank

here's an old poll, with some academic bits Peter found (am looking for that "Ecology and Social Behaviour..." article now, may have to buy it in my quest for knowledge ):
gerbilforum.proboards.com/post/2926/thread
people aren't referencing why they think one way or the other though

Steph, will keep looking and add any other old links here...

[caz]

Hmmm... think this should be 'stickied' somewhere for future newbies!

Caroline

[lizzy]

The gallons thing is a guideline. Just because you have two gerbils in a 20 gallon tank doesn't mean they're automatically going to have more fun. I see a lot of pictures of gerbils in "big" tanks with just a couple of inches of bedding on the floor, maybe a wooden toy, but there isn't any room for them to dig is there?? It defies the point of getting a bigger tank in the first place. They'd probably be a lot happier in a 10 gallon tank with bedding up to the brim for them to dig around and make their own burrows as opposed to a 20 gallon tank with nothing in it. Measurements, etc are going to vary wherever you buy your tank and just because a tank is 2 feet long says nothing about the width or depth.

The "5 gallon per gerbil" says nothing either because it's the absolute minimum that the NGS recommends. It doesn't mean it is going to be the best for a gerbil, I'm sure my bedroom size is the minimum that I could be required to live in but it doesn't mean I'm going to be happy if I never left this room

[sismith42]

lizzy said:

The "5 gallon per gerbil" says nothing either because it's the absolute minimum that the NGS recommends. It doesn't mean it is going to be the best for a gerbil, I'm sure my bedroom size is the minimum that I could be required to live in but it doesn't mean I'm going to be happy if I never left this room

yes, but any idea where the NGS, AGS, etc. got that info from, and why/how it became the guidline? (and now, of course, it occurs to me that I *could* just email them... why didn't I think of that sooner, d'oh!) There's also people who claim that the 10 gal guidline is too small for two... I'm wondering where, beyond "common sense" they got that from, too...

Steph, yeah, I get into researching weird things sometimes

[ashgerbil]

lizzy said:

The gallons thing is a guideline. Just because you have two gerbils in a 20 gallon tank doesn't mean they're automatically going to have more fun. I see a lot of pictures of gerbils in "big" tanks with just a couple of inches of bedding on the floor, maybe a wooden toy, but there isn't any room for them to dig is there?? It defies the point of getting a bigger tank in the first place. They'd probably be a lot happier in a 10 gallon tank with bedding up to the brim for them to dig around and make their own burrows as opposed to a 20 gallon tank with nothing in it. Measurements, etc are going to vary wherever you buy your tank and just because a tank is 2 feet long says nothing about the width or depth.

The "5 gallon per gerbil" says nothing either because it's the absolute minimum that the NGS recommends. It doesn't mean it is going to be the best for a gerbil, I'm sure my bedroom size is the minimum that I could be required to live in but it doesn't mean I'm going to be happy if I never left this room

But I'm talking about tank sizes I mean yeah what I've posted is a rough guide, you can deviate by a gallon or two if you want. What I've posted is just the minimum tank sizes. Of course, in your tank you're going to have a good few inches of bedding and plenty of toys in whatever tank you get aren't you? Whatever size tank, you're going to have plenty of toys in there and plenty of stimulation for your gerbils. That's what I'm assuming with these tank sizes.
What do you mean about the tank being 2 feet? I couldn't do every single tank size I'm afraid, I just did the most common ones. I can add some extra ones though if you want anymore.

I don't know whether tank sizes are based on anything further than common sense tbh. There may be some 'gerbil tank formula' to it, but I doubt it. I think you can just tell by looking can't you. You can just tell by looking at the size of a gerbil and looking at the size of a tank. I think it's that simple tbh. Look at a 10 gallon tank and look at a pair of gerbils - how can they have enough space to be happy?

Am I fighting a losing battle here?!

[~Amavanna~]

Perhaps you are, but ill fight and lose with you. I have always been boggled by the standard size being 5 gallons per gerbil. The more I researched on the gerbils natural behaivors and activities, I was even more surprised, I mean lets look at one simple fact. A gerbil can jump as high as 18 inches, which is taller then MOST tanks. If a gerbil can jump that high, surley you would want to give them ample room to do so. My girls are in a 20 gallon tall. They love the space and are the funniest sisters I have seen. They play together sleep together and then when they want some space, there is ample room for it, without causing worry of declanning. They have room to play run, jump, scare each other, hide, plenty room to dig or climb. A Slightly larger tank such as a 15 or 20 gallon has always been recomidation only because I have seen their bennifets. I have only 1 20 gallon tank with 2 gerbils in it. And three unoccupied 10 gallons. I 10 gal. tank serves as a great playpen with sand and random toys. But they only do major corner digging in the smaller play tank ,, never their home tank, so it is possiable that corner digging is a sign of needing or just wanting more room. Some gerbils may not be active as others so it dosent cause quite so much distress or bordem. I could go on for hours on tank sizes with gerbils but I also am prone to spoiling and spending potential gas money on these silly little rodents of mine XD

[sismith42]

ashgerbil said:

What do you mean about the tank being 2 feet? I couldn't do every single tank size I'm afraid, I just did the most common ones. I can add some extra ones though if you want anymore.

I don't know whether tank sizes are based on anything further than common sense tbh. There may be some 'gerbil tank formula' to it, but I doubt it. I think you can just tell by looking can't you. You can just tell by looking at the size of a gerbil and looking at the size of a tank. I think it's that simple tbh. Look at a 10 gallon tank and look at a pair of gerbils - how can they have enough space to be happy?

Am I fighting a losing battle here?!

not sure about the fighting thing... I'm really not trying to fight, just understand what's the real minimum, since some people say one thing and others another

It's possibly important, however, to stress that it's a MIN rule of thumb & guidline, and that more space is (generally) acceptable.

Re the 2-foot thing: I suspect Ms. Lizzie is not familliar with the Perfecto brand of tanks when I explained my set-up. She certainly didn't seem to see the point of my question which is "where did this come about", not "what is the best condition to keep a gerbil in"!!

You're probably right that it's just based on common sense (or else, "how little space can we waste on these guys in our lab and still have them reasonable happy and not actually cross the line to cruelty"-- I'm not actually against animal testing, but I am cynical about it), and me pondering/looking stuff up about this is about as sensible as debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin or whether elephants really do prefer to climb hills, but oh well ;D

annavana, experiments show that no matter how much space you give them, the stereotyped digging behaviour unfortunatly will appear without a proper burrow system:, eg: www.gerbils.co.uk/gerbils/burrow.htm

[michael]

sorry to get off topic but I have a ten gallon for my 2 girls and they seem fine. also my family just recently bought a 28 gallon fish tank for the quickly growing fish.(the ten gallon was theirs before the gerbils came)and i noticed that the tank wasn't any bigger just much taller. so whats the point if my mom doesn't want me putting in more than 4 inches or so.

[lizzy]

ashgerbil said:

But I'm talking about tank sizes I mean yeah what I've posted is a rough guide, you can deviate by a gallon or two if you want. What I've posted is just the minimum tank sizes. Of course, in your tank you're going to have a good few inches of bedding and plenty of toys in whatever tank you get aren't you? Whatever size tank, you're going to have plenty of toys in there and plenty of stimulation for your gerbils. That's what I'm assuming with these tank sizes.

That's where you're going wrong then. I've seen so many photos on here, from a lot of people who have their own gerbil set ups and they have a 20 gallon tank with maybe 2 inches of bedding on top and some food, water and maybe one wooden toy. Yet they think that the gerbils must have enough room and space because it's a 20 gallon tank.

sismith42 said:

Re the 2-foot thing: I suspect Ms. Lizzie is not familliar with the Perfecto brand of tanks when I explained my set-up. She certainly didn't seem to see the point of my question which is "where did this come about", not "what is the best condition to keep a gerbil in"!!

Be more specific next time then, and don't make the title of your next topic "how much space does a gerbil *need*".

And I'm perfectly aware of the stereotypical burrowing problem, having had that link on my bookmarks for quite literally years and linking to it enough times on this forum.

[michael]

what do you mean? i read your post a couple of time and don't understand it.

[MeX]

I think th 5 gallon a gerbil rule is kind of dumb. Makes it sound like they each need their own space and they go to their separate corners or something when they usually eat, sleep and even chew together anyway. It's not like 2 gerbils will be sleeping in opposite corners and 1 will get his exercise by running back and forth.

I've seen 10 gallon setups that aren't any better than 30 gallon setups. Too many people put like 2 inches of bedding, a wheel, a water bottle and a couple of toys so all they can really do is run back and forth.

Not many people seem to actually give them burrowing room because they're dumb or selfish and want to be able to "see" the gerbils 24/7. For some reason it doesn't occur to them that if they have to have a wheel, it could at least be hung from the top. Take advantage of the height in the tank.

Some gerbils do better in 10 gallons. My 2 boys would territory fight in their 30 gallon. and only 1 could be "on top" at a time. None of these stupid problems in the 10 gallon.