cages

Question
I was just wondering if you could put a gerbil in a ovo habitrail and have them adapt?

Answer
Hi

I'm honestly not sure exactly what this type of cage is like. However, gerbils don't/can't climb as such.  Their bodies are very different from hamsters - hamsters can change the shape of their body and squeeze through tiny spaces, their paws are also designed for climbing.  Gerbils, on the other hand, can't change the shape of their body and can get stuck in small spaces/tubes etc.  Their paws are very slender as they are designed for digging - therefore they struggle to climb up tubes onto feeding platforms etc.

I believe that gerbils should be kept in a tank or cage with a ladder leading to platforms, and no tubes at all.  My first gerbil came to me in a two tier cage with a tube leading from one level to the other.  He struggled every time he tried to climb the tube to his feeding platform and as a result was very skinny.  I put him in a new tank, with easy access to food and no climbing as such, just loads of room for shredding and burrowing and he was much happier.

Also, remember that gerbils chew a lot, and it is possible for them to chew their way out of plastic tubes etc.  Hence, the reason why glass or Perspex tanks are often better for them.

Regards