So, i just got my gerbil set up for my 2 gerbils that I will purchase tomorrow. I got a 10 gal. aquarium, which is what the pet websites think is good for 2 gerbils. It has a medium wheel, a igloo, and a ceramic dish. Is this not enough room for them? I mean, i will let them run in their ball and i will handle them lots, so what do you think?
Answers:
I generally don't recommend tanks, but after raising 5 gerbils, I'm beginning to change my mind on that. A 10 gallon tank with a secure mesh top is fine for them. Keep them in a cooler area away from direct sunlight, a room with no or little sun is perfect for them. Our gerbils have chewed up 2 plastic wheels and the bottoms of plastic bottom/wire top cages by Super Pet to where none are any good and had to be thrown out. I have given them all kinds of things to chew on, but they still chewed the plastic. The wheels looked like Swiss cheese when one was done. If they continue doing this, I too am putting the worst chewers in 10 gallon tanks. You could get a 20 gallon tank if you think that one will be too small. I would suggest getting a mesh wire wheel and not a plastic one. Of the 5 gerbils we have, 4 have the mesh wire wheels. Below is an example of the one I'm talking about and the size, this one is sold at cheappetstore.com. I would not buy the plastic igloo either for the chewing reason, instead get a wooden one like the one in the next listed site, sold at the same store. Now both these items are available at most pet stores.
I really think if you want them to be happy, you should ge thtem a bigger cage.
Its big enough. But it can get warm in an aquarium
i think its perfect i have a hamster and a ten gallon fish but the hamster is not in i seems perfect for 2 gerbils and if the igloo is big and takes up half the cage u should get a smaller on so the have more room to hang out a night
I think you should have gotten them a bigger cage with more room. More ventilation. Tanks are not good for gerbils or hamsters because they tend to chew on the silicone and die. That is why they make gerbil and hamster cages.
The life span of them is also about 2 years. So be forwarned that they don't live very long.
Good luck!
a 10 gal. fish tank will be big enough for 2 but make sure you don't get one of each sex or you will need more cages,. The Male will often eat the babes and once they get 4 - 5 weeks old you need to seperate the babes by sex so you don't end up with a baby explosion.
No, they will need to have their seperate tanks. Once you add the wheel, food and water dishes and igloo, the 10 gallon tank will feel more like a 2 gallon tank to them. Also you need to get a screen for your tanks. They can and will get out if you have all of that in there. They will pick it up with their mouths and pile them up. They are smart creatures. How do I know. I raise them and bred them.
Ten gallon is fine. Make sure the lid stays on good.
One other toy they like is some wire rolled up anything to play on.
These when they are with another get very bonded and if male and female they both raise the babies. Very uncommon for them to hurt there young!
Keep cage clean in there aquariums, if the water bottle leaks get a new one. No where for there water or the urine to go. DO NOT buy cedar shavings for these caged critters, it can and will kill them. The natural chemical in the cedar..
These make great pets!!
At first they might act like they are boxing with you, this is there defense! When they are scared they will do this.
Good luck with them :0)
well... technicaly it would be good enough but ive had a hamster before, which is practicaly about the same thing as a gerbil, i kept him in a tank about that size with the things you have as well and he lived a pretty happy 3 years but since that was his "home" i bought another cage with tubes and everything, he loved climbing through the tubes and exploring. so i think it was fun for him to have something like that as well.
id say its big enough but aquariums are suppose to have probs with ventillation cuz there so deep but gerbils do like digging and need loads to keep them entertained.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment