Gerbils make great pets for adults as well as for children. Almost all pet gerbils are Mongolian gerbils, which originate from the Mongolian desert. They are friendly and very easy to care for. They are dinural, so are awake night and day. They get very excited about any new thing you put into the tank for them and will immediately explore it. You can make cardboard buildings/tunnels for them and they will love crawling into, through, over, and on them. Then they will gnaw it all up.

Gerbils are more fun to watch then many television shows out there today.

Gerbils are happier in pairs. You should get same sex pairs unless you want a ton of babies. It is best to get the gerbils that are littermates (have lived in the same cage together already with no problems) because they get along better. However, you can use the split-cage method to introduce two gerbils.

Gerbils have a lifespan of 2 to 4 years.

Pick a young gerbil because it is best to tame them when they are young.

There are several housing options for gerbils.

Plastic Cage

The plastic cages like Crittertrail with the fancy colors and tubes are not recommended. They have very poor ventilation, are very hard to clean, and are very easy to escape from. Gerbils would chew right through it.

Wire Cage

A wire cage with a plastic removable tray is a good option. It has good ventilation and is easy to clean. Be sure not to get one with plastic ramps as the gerbils will chew them up. The only downside to a wire cage is it is messy. Gerbils will kick bedding out through the bars.

Tanks

Do not get a plastic tank as a gerbil will chew through it. If you get a glass tank, be sure to get a secure screen lid. A 20 gallon long tank is best. You can also get a wire tank topper which will provide an area of good ventilation as well as more room. You will need to have all the necessary supplies for your gerbils before you bring them home.

Bedding

Do not get cedar or pine bedding as they cause serious respiratory problems in small animals. Any other bedding marked for small animals is fine. I personally like aspen bedding.

Food Dishes and Food

If you have a metal cage you can use the food dish that attaches to it. If not, get a ceramic dish so that your gerbils cannot knock it over. As for food, any type marked for gerbils or hamsters is fine. Do not bother getting vitamins, the food has plenty of those.

Water Bottles

Use a gravity fed water bottle that makes it easy to monitor the water level. Fresh water daily is best. 4oz and 8oz water bottles are both fine.

Toys

Avoid all plastic toys as it is harmful if swallowed. Wood toys are best because they help a gerbil keep their teeth in good shape. A good homemade toy is a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Those cardboard tubes are a favorite of most gerbils. Be sure to rotate toys so your gerbils do not get bored.

Hideaway

A wood hideaway is best. Hideaways provide a place to hide when scared. These are necessary to reduce stress. Wood is best because it doubles as a chew toy. Plastic is a big no-no.

Exercise Wheels and Balls

The wheel should be 9 inches in diameter. Do not get a plastic one because, again, it poses a threat if swallowed. Do not get a wire one either. Gerbils can easily break limbs and lose tails in those. The best kind is a mesh one.

• Be sure to clean the cage and give fresh food at least once a week.
• You should bring your gerbils out of thier cage to play at least 2 or 3 days a week.

You should now be ready for a gerbil. There is still a lot more you need to know once you have a gerbil, so I suggest buying or checking out (from a library) books on gerbils.