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.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Hi Nellie!

My sister and I each had two gerbils, two were girls and two were boys and they lived separately.

Now one of each has died and we were wondering if the boy and girl could live in the same cage if it was always a split cage? Or could they get pregnant?

We're worried they're lonely but we aren't allowed to get anymore gerbils. We've spent lots of time with them, but we're still worried.

Thanks,

-S.





Hi S.!

Yes, as long as the split cage you build is sturdy and they can't get around, over, or under the divider, your gerbil and your sister's gerbil should be able to live in a split cage without any trouble. :)

Use a good, sturdy divider, too, so that they can't chew through it.

As long as your gerbils can't get to the other side of the divider, you shouldn't have to worry about the female getting pregnant.

Living in the split cage won't be the same as living together, but I think they will feel safer having another gerbil nearby than living completely alone.

You can find information about building a really good split cage here:

http://www.twinsqueaks.com/split-tank.html

You'll need a parent or other trusted adult to help you build the split tank.

If you can't build a split tank for your gerbils, just keep doing what you've been doing and give your gerbils lots of love and attention. And give them lots of cardboard to chew and an exercise wheel to run in.

Good luck! Tell you gerbil and your sister's gerbil hi from me!

Your buddy,
-Nellie