Gerbil basics

Question
Hello, I am interested in buying a small group of gerbils as pets, I was wondering would a male or female group be better? I will get them all the same time... but I may add another in the future.... will that work? I have a big three foot long, two foot tall one foot wide tank I think its a 33 gallon, I have a wire top for it that is excape proof once I put a brick on each end, I was wondering how many could happily live in this? also how lnog to gerbils live? would it be inpossible to tame them since I have a group?

Answer
Hi,

When housing more than 2 or 3 gerbils, it's best to get males.  Females are more territorial, and fights are more likely to break out in large groups of females.  When you choose your gerbils, they need to be young (between 5-7 weeks), and if you get them from a pet store, they need to have been housed in the same container- or better yet, they are siblings.  If you want to get another gerbil in the future and add it to your small clan, just make sure it is young and that it has plenty of space.

A 33-gallon tank could comfortably hold about 5 gerbils.  I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but gerbils need plenty of space, as they are so active.  (There is a smaller chance of fighting with this small number, also.)  They also need plenty of toys, a solid-surface wheel with no spokes (those by Wodent Wheels are great), and wood toys to chew on.  This is especially important.  In addition, give your gerbils toilet paper rolls, torn up plain white typing paper, paper towel rolls, and cardboard egg cartons to chew on very frequently (every day would be best).  This will help keep the gerbils amused, also.

Gerbils live about 3 years.  Yes, you can tame a group, as long as they are young when you get them and you gently handle them all very frequently.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly