Gerbils
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A gerbil is a rodent halfway between a rat and a mouse in size. They're usually 2-4 oz, and have a slightly different facial shape than a mouse or rat. Their long tails are covered with fur and end in a tuft. Their eyes are deep black or ruby red, and they come in dozens of different colors, from regular agouti (wild rabbit brown with white belly), to black, to shades of orange, gold, cream, to color points like Siamese and Burmese! Gerbils make fun and entertaining pets for both young and old.
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Gerbils are fun to watch. Their antics and family interactions can entertain you for hours. They are also incredibly friendly pets. They can be taught to climb up your shoulder and can sit there, or on your head!
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Gerbils require a minimum of care. Their homes take up little space, they are low-maintenance, create little odor, and they do not need frequent vet visits. They are very friendly, social, and rarely bite.
ABOUT
Basic Care Plan for Gerbil's
The cost of a gerbil is not too much per year, and is an inexpensive way to teach children responsibility, or to reward them. Although they are able to be trained reasonably easily, they are better off in groups rather than singles in a cage. Therefore when purchasing a gerbil, it is healthier to purchase two rather than one, as they have been proven to live longer healthier lives when living in a group.
Gerbils require a space adequate enough for exercise, eating and sleeping. Female gerbils do not fare as well in big groups, and it has been found that the behavior of males in groups larger than 3-4 can be aggressive. Therefore, the best groups are about 2-4 gerbils, with a mix of the sexes if possible. It is best if the gerbils are together from around the age of six weeks, so they can socialize optimally.
Feed your gerbil foods that enable it to receive all of its nutrients. These foods include "pet block" and gerbil mix.
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Keep your gerbil away from drafts, heat and direct sunlight. If they get too hot or cold, they cannot get away from it.
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Use bedding to cover the floor of the cage. This makes it more confortable for the gerbil and soaks up urine. This should be changed once a week or when it gets dirty, whichever happens first.
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Keep your gerbil's cage clean and stocked with plenty of food and water.
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Be sure to change the food out if it gets wet to avoid mold.
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Install an exercise wheel for your gerbil. They need to exercise, and this is the most enjoyable way for them to do so.
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Place a sand bath in your gerbil's cage with very fine sand or chinchilla dust. This helps them to clean their coat.
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Allow your gerbil to chew on wood gnaws. This helps them to keep their teeth short.
