Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Gerbils are small desert rodents found throughout Africa and Asia, which are also popular as pets. There are several options for building a living environment for a gerbil, but a glass aquarium is a popular one that will work well. To make a glass aquarium usable as a gerbil cage, however, you will need to add a few things to keep your gerbil happy, healthy and inside the cage.
Gerbils are friendly, curious rodents that make amusing pets. Since they are sensitive animals with a strong sense of smell and weak eyesight, it sometimes takes time for a gerbil to fully explore and get accustomed to a new cage. Gerbils are territorial animals that feel uncomfortable when they are not in their familiar territory, so it generally takes about four to seven days for a gerbil to get acclimated to a new cage.
Gerbils are social rodents that weigh between 2 and 4 ounces. It is important to the health and well-being of your pet to provide the proper size cage and to clean it correctly. Gerbils are available in many colors, including black, brown , gold, orange and cream; or you can find them with a combination of colors. Their tails end in a tuft and are covered with fur.
The only other animal that can safely live in the same cage as a pet gerbil is another gerbil. Gerbils do better in captivity when they live with others of their own species, according to the American Gerbil Society. Gerbils can attract insect parasites that can potentially be lethal. Gerbil keepers need to check their gerbils every day for signs of these parasites.
Gerbils are active and inquisitive rodents, and they need a lot of exercise and stimulation. Gerbil toys can be store-bought or often handmade, and they should combine both opportunities for exercise and investigation as often as possible. Some popular toys for gerbils include chew toys, tubes, wheels and balls. However, as important as it is to know what toys to use, it is equally important to be aware of what toys to avoid for your gerbil's health.
Small rodents such as hamsters, mice and gerbils are popular small pets. They are easy to keep, don't require a lot of space, and can be lovable companions for the right owner. Three main types of cages are available for owners of small pet. These include plastic tube cages, aquariums and wire cages with plastic pan bottoms.
A gerbil's home should be exciting, with interactive play areas and features that promote exercise. A maze of twisting tubes, running wheels and colorful hide-outs adds interest to any style of gerbil cage. Whether it's a fixture in a child's bedroom or prominently displayed in a family room, gerbil cages can be decorated to entice admirers of any age.
Gerbils are social animals that live healthier lives when they are caged together. Building your own gerbil cage is a simple activity that allows you to design a habitat for as many gerbils as you want to have living in the same space. They like to have lots of space and they gnaw on everything, so it is important to keep those considerations in mind when you choose building materials. Keep it simple, safe and entertaining for your gerbils.
Gerbils are cute, reasonably friendly and relatively easy to care for, making them popular pets for both children and adults. A properly equipped gerbil cage is easy to clean and maintain, and provides a healthy and stimulating environment for the animals. Setting up the cage before bringing your gerbils home eases the transition and keeps the animals from becoming overly stressed.
Making a gerbil cage is inexpensive and easy when you know what you are doing. Building one yourself allows you to personalize the cage for your gerbil. You can create spaces for the gerbil to exercise and sleep or make it large enough to hold gerbils you might acquire in the future.
Aquariums are the best homes for gerbils because they will chew their way out of plastic hamster homes and squeeze through barred cages. (And a loose gerbil can be easily injured or killed.) Gerbils find it extremely difficult to escape from an aquarium, and aquariums can be transformed into palatial pads for gerbils.
When you decide to get a gerbil as a pet you need to provide your new friend with a nice home. There are several options when buying a cage for a gerbil. Commercially manufactured plastic and wire cages for gerbils are readily available. However, experienced gerbil owners usually recommend using an aquarium (fish tank) instead. Plastic cages on the market are usually too small and can tip over easily. In addition the gerbil may chew on the plastic and eventually ruin the cage. Wire cages are the least expensive but have disadvantages. Gerbils will kick bedding out of the cage…
