I am interested in hearing how people create a stimulating environment
for their gerbils specifically within the constraints of a 10 and 20
gallon sized aquarium.
My first gerbil (who I rescued just last fall) was badly neglected.
When I took him he was in a ten gallon aquarium that was filled to the
top with several months worth of gnawed cereal boxes, and he had created
a tunnel structure on multi levels similar to that describe at the web
site -- http://www.rodent.demon.co.uk/gerbils/burrow.htm
So this was my first image of how gerbil housing should look, rather
than the inch of bedding and little/no hiding places that you see in pet
stores and gerbil books.
Following this idea of levels, burrows, and self-gnawed bedding, this is
how I've been setting up my tanks for my new gerbils (sadly, the first
one who was quite elderly died after less than a month with me).
At the bottom of the tank, I tape together tubes (wrapping paper, paper
towel, and/or toilet paper), next to that I put a three tiered dish rack
I bought a Walmart, then on top of these I put about 4 inches of bedding
material (I was using pine, and switched to Carefresh for my mated
pair). This can be expensive in the 20 gallon tank, so I wedge a cereal
box in the middle and have one side only be the layered, burrowing side,
with just a little bedding on the other where I put the food and water
and things to gnaw -- they seem to love the challenge of climbing over
the cereal box to get from side to side, even when there is a hole to go
through it. And now on the layered side, I wedge a few cardboard boxes
to create more layers on top of the lower layer. Also egg cartons (once
gnawed up) makes good burrowing substance. To give them a challenge
I'll tape the egg carton closed, put treats inside and start a little
hole for entry.
I also give them a sturdy box about 4-5 inches square to nest and sleep
in (they've never slept in any other part of the environment -- this
seems to be very important to their security, and they run into the
nest-box if startled).
As an interesting aside, the two gerbils I got at 8 weeks and have been
used to a layered tank since then, like to nest at a high level. The
gerbil I got at 4 months who was used to the pet store 1 inch of bedding
environment will only nest/sleep on the bottom level of the tank. When
I paired two of these, the high-level female joined the bottom-level
male in that nest box.
They create quite an interesting structure from this initial setup --
they seem engaged by it and it is fun to watch. I also introduce
something new every couple of days. A small tissue box with half the
tissues taken out is a big favorite; or paper towel rolls with 1/2 inch
of paper towels still on. They also like those roll-a-nest balls.
After two weeks I clean out the cage, leaving a few of the pieces in
tact that are not smelly or too gnawed up.
I have not found the problem that Julian mentioned of the gerbils
getting less tame in a burrowing system -- mine climb up to the top
surface to get sunflower seeds or crawl over the side once I have the
top of the tank off for a few minutes. Perhaps this is because I remove
the structure after two week and they start building it over, versus
keeping it for an extended period (?)
I am wondering how others set up their cages to provide a varied and
stimulating housing/environment.
PS -- I love the set ups at the web site below, although way beyond my
personal time available for creating and cleaning gerbil houses...
http://www.maisel.de/~eva/cages.html
