We have one gerbil, Dante. There's a weird story behind how we got her. We were at a pet store one day and there was this cage with a little creature sleeping in a cage aside from all the other pets with a sign to the effect of "I was returned and cannot be resold, I'm free to a good home". I cried because I thought it was sad that someone would just return a pet like that so we got it. Turns out it was a gerbil and that's how we got our little guy. Paul is fascinated with her and loves her to bits. To see more pictures of Dante go here.
**FAQ**
Q. How long do they live for?
A. They live about 2-4 years, less if there is only one of them.
Q. What do they eat?
A. Any small rodent food will do. Dante eats Nutri-Block because she buries her food and these are easier for her to find.
Q. What kind of cage and bedding do I need?
A. A 10 gallon aquarium is good because it allows them to burrow without getting shavings all over the place. As for bedding, Aspen is recommended.
Q. Should I have more than one?
A. Definatly, they love being in pairs. We only have one because she was free to a good home and I wanted to help her.
Q. How much will this set me back?
A. Gerbils generally cost about $6 but can vary from store to store. A 10 gallon aquarium is about $20 with a lid. They are very inexpensive.
Q. What are their common health problems?
A. Gerbils are tough little guys and very rarely get sick. They have no common health issues, however, they can develop cateracts or have strokes when they are older.
Q. Are they easy to find in pet stores?
A. Yes, every pet store I have ever been in has had them. They are as common as hamsters now a days.
Q. What kind of maintenance do they require?
A. They are low maintenance. Give them out time, love and boxes to chew on and they're happy.
Q. When do they sleep?
A. They generally sleep when they are tired and aren't considered nocturnal.
Q. Do they make noise?
A. Not often. We've had Dante for months now and I've heard one sound once. They only make sound if really angry or scared.
Home
