Females can be more aggressive with other gerbils than males. In any gerbil group, there is a dominant pair of a male and female. … While the males can box and fight, the females can be even worse.
Should I get girl or boy gerbils?
Some owners say males are more docile and friendly towards each other than females. … However, it’s generally a good idea to choose males if you want to keep more than two gerbils together, as they seem slightly happier in larger groups than females. There is very little size difference between male and female gerbils.
Do girl gerbils have periods?
Gerbils have an estrous cycle, which dictates when they mate. But they don’t go through a menstrual cycle. Instead, the lining of the womb is reabsorbed not expelled. … This means that female gerbils become pregnant almost every time they mate.
Can 2 female gerbils live together?
You can safely keep two female gerbils together. However, make sure not to get more than two. In addition, don’t house two females with male gerbils. If you do, they may fight.
Is it OK to have one gerbil?
Gerbils are very sociable pets that are usually kept in pairs. If you’d prefer to keep a single gerbil, you will need to interact with the gerbil regularly to fulfill its social needs. … With the right attention and care, your single gerbil can live a long, happy life.
Can you put two gerbils in the same cage?
Because of the social nature of gerbils, the ASPCA recommends housing a minimum of two of them together. … Units of more than two females together may fight, and aggressively so, so always be cautious when planning gerbil living arrangements.
Do female gerbils fight?
True gerbil fighting is rare in bonded pairs, but it can happen at any point, often without warning. It’s more common in female gerbils than males. Real fights can result in injury and death. The reason for most gerbils fighting is because they have gone through a process called declanning.
Are female gerbils bigger than males?
Males are slightly bigger than females. If you have a cage with several males and females, you may notice this difference in comparison. However, this difference isn’t big enough to consistently or definitively tell between males and females. A large gerbil is often a male but can be a female too.
Can gerbils change sexes?
Some species of animal can change sex, from male to female or female to male. … Gerbils aren’t hermaphrodites, and gerbils can’t change from one sex to another.
Can gerbils be born pregnant?
Pregnancy lasts about 24 days, and a litter consists of 1 to 8 gerbil pups. Gerbils will begin mating again almost immediately after the female gives birth.
Do gerbils eat their babies?
The drive for a gerbil to eat its baby is evolutionary. The reasons are to do with the nutrition of the mother and the rest of the litter. By killing one or two pups, the mother ensures that both the parents and the rest of the litter can survive. What you’ll rarely see is a mother killing her young for no reason.
How many gerbils should be in a cage?
Otherwise, it is always advisable to get a pair of gerbils, either two males or two females. It’s true that they can live in larger groups, but unless you have a very big space to keep them in, they’re going to be a bit crowded. In general, it’s best to keep between two and four gerbils.
How big of a tank do I need for 2 gerbils?
Gerbils housed in enclosures that are too small can often become aggressive and temperamental. One or two gerbils require an area that measures at least 18 inches wide, 24 to 30 inches long and 12 inches high. They also do well in a 15 gallon tank (or larger). As a pet parent, you will want to keep your gerbil safe.
Can I have 3 gerbils?
You can keep three gerbils together in a trio, but the risk of declanning is higher. Gerbil trios work best if they’re siblings from the same litter. If you’d like to keep a group of gerbils together, ensure that there’s enough space. … Male gerbils are less aggressive than females, so they’re less likely to fight.
Do gerbils need a wheel?
Exercise wheels are advertised as a must-have item for gerbils/rodents. … But despite seeming so pointless, gerbils do need running wheels. Or, gerbils need exercise, and wheels are perhaps the best way to ensure they get it. Being stuck in a small enclosure, gerbils can’t run around like they would in the wild.
Do gerbils need a sand bath?
Instead of bathing gerbils in water as you would a human, gerbils need ‘sand baths’. Sand baths involve the gerbil rolling around in a small pot of sand, an activity which looks rather strange but actually gives the animal a chance to give its fur a good scrub and to free itself of dirt.
Do gerbils cry?
Gerbils can become upset and will behave in a certain way when they are. While they won’t produce tears like humans, you could call this behavior ‘crying’. One thing you will see is a gerbil producing shrill, urgent shrieks.
What is a black gerbil?
Black gerbils belong to the Mongolian gerbil species, Meriones unguiculatus, which means little clawed warrior. As a result of selective breeding for the pet industry, Mongolian gerbils sport a varied palette of coat colors, including black, brown, silver, lilac, dove, white and the common golden agouti color.
What size tank do I need for 3 gerbils?
The surface area should be at least 2,500 cm (400 sq inch) for a pair or trio of gerbils. This forms a cage with a volume of 20 gallons. Larger cages are even better, especially when you plan on keeping more than two gerbils or intend on breeding gerbils.
Do gerbils like to be held?
Are Gerbils Affectionate Pets? Gerbils are affectionate pets that show affection towards other gerbils and humans. You can show affection by petting, holding, or cuddling your gerbil. Most gerbils will like a basic form of affection, like being pet or held.
What is gerbil squeaking?
Gerbils make noise to communicate, both with you and other gerbils. Gerbils squeak and thump their feet to frighten other gerbils or predators. They make ‘yipping’ sounds when excited. Gerbils also purr to show contentment, chirp to get your attention, and make clicking breathing noises when they’re sick.
How do you introduce male and female gerbils?
Place one gerbil on each side of the divider so that they can see but not touch each other. Several times a day alternate the side that each gerbil lives on so they get used to each others’ scent. Continue swapping the gerbils from side to side for a minimum of 7 days (longer is even better).
Should I get my gerbil a friend?
Pet gerbils need friends just as their wild counterparts do. Left on their own, gerbils become stressed and unhappy – playing with humans will not satisfy the full range of their instinctive needs. So, always opt for a pair, or buy your solitary gerbil a friend of the same species as soon as possible.
How do you mark gerbils?
Instead of using urine to scent mark, gerbils use special glands on their bellies. This gland is an oval shape, longer than it is wide.
What gerbil should I get?
Fat-tailed gerbils have longer lifespans, are more docile, and don’t need as much space. They can be kept alone, whereas Mongolian gerbils must live in pairs. But fat-tailed gerbils are rare in the pet trade. Most vets are only experienced with Mongolian gerbils, so they are widely seen as the best pet gerbil.
Why do female gerbils hump each other?
The main reason why female gerbils hump each other is to enforce the gerbils’ social structure. … This doesn’t mean that neither female would mate with a male. If you introduced each of them to males, they would likely want to mate as normal.
When can baby gerbils be separated from their mother?
six weeks old To ensure your baby gerbils complete their social and emotional development they should not be separated from their parents until they are at least six weeks old, by which time they are fully independent.
