Should I Get A Gerbil?

[duckiesx6]

Hiya! I'm new so you have to bear with me...I have a few questions..
1. I've previously had a lot of aggressive hamsters, and I want to get a gerbil because I heard that they rarely bite people...is this true or is it just different Gerbil's personalities?
2. Are Gerbils the most friendliest rodent if I can't get a rat?
3. Can Gerbils be taken out of their cages for a long time...or outdoors like a ferret?
4. How easy are they to tame?
THANK YOU!! <3 <3 :D
CrystaL

[floppy]

1. I've previously had a lot of aggressive hamsters, and I want to get a gerbil because I heard that they rarely bite people...is this true or is it just different Gerbil's personalities?

I guess it depends on a lot of things, if a gerbil is stressed or depressed it is more likely to bite or be aggressive. I would say that 99% of the time they are unlikely to bite though! They will usually only bite for the above reasons, or if they don't want to be held/or are held too tight etc, but it's usually just a nip.


2. Are Gerbils the most friendliest rodent if I can't get a rat?

They are pretty friendly. Since I don't have much experience with many rodents I wouldn't know if they the friendliest. I think in a lot of ways, if you are looking for a really friendly pet you should maybe get a rat. They will sit on your lap or on your shoulder quite happily whereas a gerbil won't!



3. Can Gerbils be taken out of their cages for a long time...or outdoors like a ferret?

Not really! I wouldn't advise letting them outdoors. Gerbils put everything in their mouth and you never know what they'll pick up! A lot of every day things are toxic to gerbils. As for letting them out for long periods of time. I usually let mine out to run in a room for around an hour or so. You MUST m ake sure the room is gerbil proof though. No electrical wires (they'll chew them and get electrocuted), No small spaces they can get into (you'd be surprised at the tiny spaces they will fit into), no dirt/food on the floor in case it's toxic to them and no sharp objects that they can hurt themselves on.


4. How easy are they to tame?

You can get a gerbil quite tame to the point where they will climb onto your hand to be let out, and they will climb on you etc, it makes it easy for you to catch them when it's time for them to go back in their tank! They will eat from your hand etc.

If you are thinking about getting a gerbil you will need to get 2! They are very social and need to live in pairs. If they are kept alone you'll most likely end up with a very quiet, depressed gerbil who will do little more than eat and sleep, if you're lucky!
You need to provide them with lots of wooden toys to keep their teeth trim too. The best type of housing for them would be an aquarium. Never use cedar or pine shavings. Feed them a mix specifically for gerbils, hamster food is too hight in fat. Get same sex gerbils. Especially since you haven't any before. They breed all the time and you are better waiting until you know a lot about them before you go down that road!

Feel free to ask more questions if there's anything else you'd like to know! You'll find threads on this forum about how to introduce 2 gerbils, unless they are brother/sisters and are already together!

[BrandyJo]

Yeah, what floppy said :D He/She hit on all the points that I would've made, so I won't repeat everything.

I do just want to add though that I've had gerbils for about 8 months and have only ever been bitten once, that was because my boyfriend and I put 3 stranger gerbils together in a tank (Horrible, HORRIBLE idea...) and they started fighting, so I grabbed one and because she was still so scared, she bit into my finger, through my fingernail. It hurt like mad and I was afraid ot hold her for a while, but it was my own fault. they generaly are very nice pets. They "nip" to see if you're anything they can eat lol but it doesn't hurt a bit.

[floppy]

Floppy is a she!! :D

[TTGerbils]

1. I've previously had a lot of aggressive hamsters, and I want to get a gerbil because I heard that they rarely bite people...is this true or is it just different Gerbil's personalities?


It's true that each gerbils has its own unique personality, but in general, if you treat them with respect, they rarely bite. As several have already said, gerbils usually bite only when they're afraid or feel threatened. I've had gerbils for 2 1/2 years and have been bitten a few times, but almost every time, it was my own fault.

2. Are Gerbils the most friendliest rodent if I can't get a rat?

Like Floppy I don't have much experience with other rodents, so I can't compare. All I can say is that it's a great feeling to take off a tank lid and have gerbils come running to see you, hop into your hand, give you sweet little gerbil kisses...Gerbils aren't the most cuddly type of pet, but they make up for that in lots of different ways. They're almost always amusing, even when they're just being gerbils.

3. Can Gerbils be taken out of their cages for a long time...or outdoors like a ferret?

Most gerbils love out-of-tank time and they have a lot of energy, so you can keep them out for a good while. I wouldn't take a gerbil outside for playtime, no.

4. How easy are they to tame?

It depends. Some gerbils are just naturally more friendly than others. It also depends on how much they've been handled before you get them. There aren't too many gerbils, though, who can't be tamed if you're patient enough.

[BrandyJo]

Floppy is a she!!

lol That's what I thought, but didn't wanna be wrong and offend ya.... :P

[Zouave]

>> 1. I've previously had a lot of aggressive hamsters <<

I have had dozens of hamsters, dwarfs and Syrians, and none were aggressive; almost all were sweet.

>> and I want to get a gerbil <<

You should never get "a gerbil"; they are social animals. Most of mine are pairs of females ior quartets of guys. No single gerbils.

>> because I heard that they rarely bite people...is this true or is it just different Gerbil's personalities? <<

It is VERY rare for a gerbil to bite. And even rarer to do it seriously.

>> 2. Are Gerbils the most friendliest rodent if I can't get a rat? <<

Rats should be in pairs too. Hamsters should live alone. "Frendliest"? The gerbils, hamsters, and even my fancy mice are all friendly; they also all have different poersonalities some being friendlier than the timid ones.

>> 3. Can Gerbils be taken out of their cages for a long time...or outdoors like a ferret? <<

No and no. Never let them outside. Only take them out of their tank (no cage) if you have a secure play area for them.

>> 4. How easy are they to tame? <<

Pretty easy. After awhile don't expect major changes in their personality - just as with people.

[duckiesx6]

Thx evry1 4 ur help!!!!! i'll think about it n do some more research!! XoxO