[animallover0987]

i want to get some gerbils , but don't know how many will be able to fit in what size cage. how many would live happily in a 20, 30, or 40 gallon tank? :eyebrow:

 

[Elliriyanna]

10 gallons per gerbil is the best rule of thumb more could probably fit but not as happily

 

[animallover0987]

ok, thanks!

 

[Elliriyanna]

No problem

 

[genevie]

The American Gerbil Society recommends a minimum of 10 US gallons for 1 to 2 gerbils, and 1 extra gerbil per 5 extra US gallons after that.

However, I'd go for a minimum of 20 US gallons for 1 to 2 gerbils, and preferably an extra 10 US gallons for each gerbil after that. Pretty much like Elliriyanna said In a 30 gallon tank I'd say 4 maximum, for a 40 I'd say 5 maximum. Bigger is always better though!

 

[Elliriyanna]

I wouldn't even put my mouse in a ten gallon UGH that really bothers me that thats the rule

 

[animallover0987]

i deffinetley wouldnt put 1 or 2 gerbils in a 10 gallon! i'll probably get a 30 gallon or 35 gallon, because thats the largest that id be able to fit. so id get either 2 or 3 gerbils

 

[genevie]

If you think that's bad, I have a hamster book that says 10 US Gallons is okay for 4 adult dwarf hamsters!

Europeans have higher recommendations, of course. One dutch site says 15 US Gallons for 1 or 2 gerbils, 30 US Gallons for 4 to 8 gerbils. Another dutch site says 15 US Gallons for 1 to 2 gerbils, and an extra 5 US Gallons per extra gerbil. In Austria, a tank for gerbils has to be 50 US Gallons minimum by law. And Germany recommends 65 US Gallons.

 

[Elliriyanna]

I like the last two But I think the 20 for 2, 30 for 3 and so forth is more realistic and would make them happier than the standards set up most places

ALSO they need very deep bedding metal wheels but not the bar type and you should put in things to chew daily

 

[animallover0987]

yeah i would never put 4 dwarf hamsters in a 10 gallon tank. thats terrible!

 

[Elliriyanna]

I would never put 1 dwarf in a ten gallon ... or a mouse even

 

[animallover0987]

it isnt good enough ventilation for them anyways

 

[Elliriyanna]

Thats my main issue I wish they would make a tank with hard mesh built into the sides .. I would buy it ... Clarity AND ventilation

 

[animallover0987]

yes!! that would be awesome, i would buy it too.

 

[genevie]

That would be so awesome, someone should make one A cheap one! A 20 US Gallon (long) tank is about £40 here new, that's about $65

 

[Elliriyanna]

ours are $31 without the top with the top its about $45

 

[animallover0987]

id probably get the tank at petsmart, and then rescue the gerbils. i dont know how much they are at petsmart.

 

[Elliriyanna]

35 for the tank( 20 long) 15 -20 for the topper or you can just get one on craigslist

 

[genevie]

Totally jealous of how cheap America is!

Rescue's always a good route Wish we had some rodent rescues in London...

 

[animallover0987]

i MIGHT get one on craigslist, but I'll probably just get it at petsmart like i said