Gerbils like a lot of attention which makes them ideal pets for children. They enjoy being handled but can be fast moving, and can jump very well. To pick up a gerbil place one hand firmly around its body, using the other hand to support underneath it, being ready to catch it if necessary. Do not pick up a gerbil by the tail, as it can cause damage.
Traditional gerbils have long, slim tails, however newer breeds are arriving in pet shops such as the flat tailed gerbil, whose tail appears as though it has been squashed. Gerbils are traditionally nocturnal creatures and they can be quite noisy at night, so beware of keeping them in a bedroom. The normal life span for a gerbil is between 3 and 4 years.
Gerbils live in colonies in the wild, and if keeping gerbils as pets, it is best to obtain a pair or group of the same sex to keep each other company. They must be from the same litter - gerbils do not like being introduced to each other, they will either fight or breed, depending on the sex. So be careful to ensure that they are all of the same sex before leaving the shop or breeder; gerbils can breed from a very young age.
Cage/Gerbilarium
A glass tank is often chosen for gerbils to live in so that they cannot chew their way out and escape, however with this option there is still a need to provide a water bottle, which can be tricky to attach. Also adequate ventilation must be given - remember that an open tank is a tank that can be attacked by predators (such as cats or dogs looking for something to play with).
A purpose built gerbilarium is a good option, as these usually have places for water bottles etc. but these can be quite expensive. Another option is a normal hamster-type cage. These are suitable for gerbils, but in the wild gerbils dig their own tunnels, and similarly pet gerbils do like to dig. This can make a mess by gerbils kicking their bedding out of the cage.
Caring for Gerbils
The gerbil should be kept in a warm, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Wood-shavings or shredded paper are commonly used as bedding, but avoid sawdust as the dust can go into the gerbil’s eyes and cause irritation.
A healthy gerbil will have a shiny coat, and bright shiny eyes, and when you pick up a healthy gerbil it should feel nicely rounded.
Gerbils should be given a wood block to grind their teeth on, as a gerbils teeth grow continually. They also enjoy chewing anything else in sight (except people). If the cage comes with a hamster-type wheel, then they will slowly eat it, but gerbils are very partial to kitchen roll or toilet roll tubes (from the inside of the roll), they enjoy chewing them and running through them.
The gerbil cage should be cleaned at least once every ten days, but preferably more frequently to keep good standards of hygiene. Fresh, clean water should be given in a clean water bottle daily, and fresh food should also be provided in a clean food bowl daily. It is better to obtain a heavy ceramic food bowl immediately, as plastic bowls will be chewed, and destroyed very quickly, and light-weight bowls will be easily tipped over.
Gerbil muesli consists of pieces of dried vegetables, nuts and seeds, and can be purchased from most supermarkets, or from pet stores. Small quantities of fruit or vegetable can also be provided, but remember that gerbils are small animals, so only give extremely tiny amounts, e.g. 2-3 raisins at a time.
Keeping any animal as a pet is an agreement to look after and care for it. Do not purchase a pet if you are not prepared to care for it properly.
Angie Briscoe - I am a 36 year old writer, recently graduated from the Open University in Humanities with Philosophy. I have been writing for ...
