Ask The Gerbils

Hallie and Smurf are happy to answer your questions about taking care of, playing with, taming, or getting to know your gerbils. However, if you have questions about breeding or gerbil babies, you should ask an experienced breeder, not Hallie and Smurf. For breeding questions, please see the American Gerbil Society or a site such as the Gerbil Breeding & Development page.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Hey Nellie,

I have two female gerbils, and one of them is younger than the other. Is it OK if I keep them in the same cage?

From,
-S.



Hi S.,

You asked a great question! The answer is that it depends. Do the two gerbils already live together now, or do they live in different cages?

If they already live together, they should be OK together, even though they aren't the same size. But if they do not already live together, you cannot put them in the same cage unless you use the Split-Cage Method to help them meet each other.

For a pair of female gerbils, this takes a couple of weeks in the split cage, and you must switch them from side to side a few times every day for it to work. It is usually harder to help two female gerbils get along than it is to help two male gerbils get along, but usually (but not always), it can be done.

If you decide that you want your two gerbils to live together, you should make sure that your mom or dad reads the Split Cage tips on our site and that they will help you. You will need an adult's help to use the split-cage method.

Good luck with both of your gerbils, whatever you decide to do (leave them separate or introduce them). Tell both of them that Nellie says “Hi!” :)

From your pal,
-Nellie