Gerbils

June 10, 2001

Gerbils are social creatures, if you buy two from the same litter there

shouldn't be any probs. If they are from different litters you need to

introduce them as babies. We kept two females in a large ex aquarium, a

third to a half full of peat with straw and some potting compost mixed in.

We had a wire mesh top to keep them in. The were fascinating to watch as

they dug and re-dug their tunnels and played chase through them, or groomed

each other. They get quite tame if you handle them alot, but as DS2 was

quite young, we didn't do too much picking up or letting them run about the

room! They would chew up a loo roll inner in just a few minutes working

together, we think that they didn't use them as tunnels because they had

plenty of tunnels already! You only need to change the peat every 3 months

as they are desert creatures, so there's not too much to do in the way of

cleaning out - once the gerbils were out and secure elsewhere DH and I just

carried the tank to the garden and up-ended it over the border. Then left

DD to wash and dry it before putting in new peat etc, whilst DH spread the

heap out amongst the plants. Because they are very dry creatures they don't

have too much in the way of dander to set off irritations. DS1 and DH are

allergic to dogs and cats respectively, but neither had a problem with the

gerbils.

Before we got them we found a couple of websites done by real enthusiasts,

and got a couple of books from the library, one by the RSPCA was the most

helpful.

Sue W will remember coming to a e-coffee at my house and some of the little

girls enjoying petting them.

I've just realised how much I miss their antics

We've pet sat guinea pigs for a friend, real boring to watch, but brilliant

if you need a fury creature to stroke as they will sit still for ages,

whereas gerbils are too busy to stop for long. They are awake during the

day, but have a few naps, when they look soo cute snuggled up together.

OK, OK I'm going to start on that workshop, really I am...

Liz Goudie

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