What the heck is a gerbil, anyway?
Gerbils belong to the rodent family. They usually weigh about 2 - 4 ounces (somewhere between a mouse and a rat in size), and they are very friendly! They rarely bite, don't smell bad, and are awake for parts of the day, unlike some small animals. They're also relatively inexpensive, don't require regular visits to the veterinarian, are pretty hardy little creatures in terms of disease, and don't take up a lot of space. A pair can live quite happily in a 10-gallon aquarium.
I think the best thing about gerbils is that they are always up to something! Gerbils vary in personality; I've had sassy and shy gerbils, athletic and lazy gerbils, tunneling gerbils and those who prefer to sleep in a little hollow on top of the bedding. Some like to explore while others like to build nests. Some are great chewers, and can reduce a toilet paper tube to shreds in minutes! I never get tired of watching my "gerbs" play and buzz around their tank, living their gerbilly lives.
I think the best thing about gerbils is that they are always up to something! Gerbils vary in personality; I've had sassy and shy gerbils, athletic and lazy gerbils, tunneling gerbils and those who prefer to sleep in a little hollow on top of the bedding. Some like to explore while others like to build nests. Some are great chewers, and can reduce a toilet paper tube to shreds in minutes! I never get tired of watching my "gerbs" play and buzz around their tank, living their gerbilly lives.
Do gerbils make good pets?
Of course they do! Gerbils are curious and gentle. You might get a sassy one from time to time, but even then, they're very polite. Unlike some other rodents, gerbils typically don't bite. If a gerbil is unsure whether or not you are food, or if he's tired or sick or generally unenthusiastic about what you are doing, the most he will typically do is place his teeth on your skin WITHOUT applying pressure. This is called "nipping," and while it should be discouraged, it rarely hurts or breaks the skin.
Gerbils can be easily tamed. At first, they may be afraid of you, but if you take it slow and give them plenty of chances to get used to the smell of your hand and the sound of your voice, they will warm up. Some gerbils like to be held while others prefer to play with you on their own terms, climbing your arm and sitting on your shoulder. I had one that liked to perch on my head!
If you have cardboard boxes lying around, like cereal or other food containers, gerbils make great recyclers. Because their teeth are constantly growing (like all members of the rodent family), they need something to chew on so that their teeth don't grow too long. I've never seen toilet paper tubes disappear faster than when I set them down in a gerbil tank.
No matter what they're doing, gerbils are a lot of fun.
Gerbils can be easily tamed. At first, they may be afraid of you, but if you take it slow and give them plenty of chances to get used to the smell of your hand and the sound of your voice, they will warm up. Some gerbils like to be held while others prefer to play with you on their own terms, climbing your arm and sitting on your shoulder. I had one that liked to perch on my head!
If you have cardboard boxes lying around, like cereal or other food containers, gerbils make great recyclers. Because their teeth are constantly growing (like all members of the rodent family), they need something to chew on so that their teeth don't grow too long. I've never seen toilet paper tubes disappear faster than when I set them down in a gerbil tank.
No matter what they're doing, gerbils are a lot of fun.