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.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Hello Nellie and Herman,


My gerbils Tinker and Belle are always keeping me up at night. I read the one message, and I have tried giving them toilet paper at night, but it still doesn't work. What they do is chew it really fast and then start scratching at the sides. It's so annoying! Please tell me what I can do!

Oh, and what kind of gerbil are you, Nellie? I think you're adorable with all the colours. You're adorable, too, Herman.

Also, where did you get the spiral toy in some of your pictures?

From,
S.







Hi S.!


Thank you for your letter! Sorry that I didn't have a chance to write sooner. We were very busy, because we went to the American Gerbil Society's Midwest Gerbil Show last month. It was a lot of fun! :)

Usually giving your gerbils something quiet like plain white toilet paper or tissue will keep them busy, quietly shredding it while you fall asleep. You could try giving them a little bit more so that it takes them longer to finish it.

You could also wait until just before you go to bed each night to feed your gerbils. That way, instead of digging against the sides of the tank, they will be busy munching on snacks while you fall asleep.

Also, if you play with your gerbils after supper, they will hopefully be awake in the evening and ready to sleep at night. (Sometimes this works, and sometimes it doesn't, but it's something you can try.)

Finally, if your gerbils are keeping you up at night and nothing else works, you should consider moving your gerbils out of your room, at least at night, so that you can get a good night's sleep. Is there another room in your house that would be safe to put your gerbils?

Thank you for asking what color I am! I am a Spotted Slate. (Slate is a very dark gray color.) My nephew Herman is a Dark-Eyed Honey.

A very good friend sent the spiral toy as a gift a long time ago. We like it a lot, but we haven't seen one at any pet stores here! It was a very nice gift. We want to say thank you to Nancy for the great spiral toy!!

I hope your gerbils find something quiet to do at night so that they don't keep you up. Good luck!


Your friend,

- Nellie