Companionship

Companionship

What any happy gerbil needs is the company of other gerbils. Solitude can lead to unhappiness and illness. Keep a pair, or a group, preferably of the same sex and ideally from the same litter. Getting them all at the same time as babies is perfect. Males and females can be kept together, but that will definitely lead to the patter of tiny gerbil feet.

After 10 weeks of age, gerbils won't welcome newcomers, and they'll be in a fighting mood. If you're bringing a new furry face into the gerbilarium, some remodelling is called for. That means dividing it into two compartments with wire mesh, keeping food and water in each.

Swap the gerbils from side to side a few times a day. Once there's no sign of aggression - usually after two weeks or so - the divide can be dispensed with. And all will be harmony in the gerbil world.