Gerbils by Lee

• Inquire
• Care Pages
• Breeder Showcase
• Gerbil Pairs
• Main

Text
Default | Increase

Gerbil Care and Links

Care Pages » Introducing New Gerbils »

Single gerbils being introduced to a new companion gerb, must be intro-ed carefully, generally via split-caging. Gerbils are very territorial. If a new gerbil is just placed suddenly into another gerbils cage, chances are they will ball up and fight, leading to serious injuries and possibly death. Split-caging involves setting up a tank that is divided down the middle. Gerbils can see and smell each other through the divide and should be switched back and forth between sides over a period of time. Idea is to allow them to accept the other's presence and smell and "get friendly" without risk of one getting killed. 0_o

For those attempting gerbil clanning the following rules of thumb should be noted...

» Two gerbil pups between 6-8 wks are easy to introduce and can often be placed together without special intros.

» Mature males (especially those that have bred or are laid-back and friendly in temperment) will often accept a male pup with very little split-caging time, but care should still be used to be sure the pup doesn't get injured. An older male being put with an older male should be introduced slowly.

» Mature females generally take a lot of time to clan with other mature females, a couple weeks of split-caging may be required. The easier scenario would be to introduce 2 very young females or possibly a mature female with a girl pup.

» Mature females will generally accept a mature male readily, but split-caging is still advised until the gerbils are comfortable with each other's presence and scent. Male to female pairs are not recommended unless one is prepared to care for and re-home all the pups. Gerbils usually have 1-8 babies per litter with gestation of about a month, and will breed again as soon as pups are born, so the amount of babies one has to provide for with caging, food, bedding, etc will very quickly increase and one needs to be ready to re-home pups and plan breedings responsibly. Exception to this, is if one has an older female (2 yrs+) who needs a new companion, she could be placed with a male, as most girl gerbils will not get pregnant after 2 years of age.

Knowing the temperment of one's gerbil helps to make split-caging easier and learning to read the fine signs of gerbil-ly body language takes a knowledgeable eye. Some gerbils are easier to clan than others. :) Please contact me if you would like tips or help with split-caging a new pair.