" One of my gerbils has recently started showing interest in
their
exercise wheel. I know I should cover it (don't want her to hurt
her
tail) but what's the best way to do it? If I put paper or
cardboard over
it they'll go through it in two seconds."
I use that silver colored duct tape -- a layer on the outside of the
wheel in overlapping 4 inch strips and a layer on the inside. With the
two adhesives together the sides are really cemented together. Unlike
Gary's gerbils, I have one (Cara) wheel adict who lives on the wheel and
doesn't take bathroom breaks. So it gets very smelly well before it's
gnawed on, I and I have to re-do the tape. The boys (Alan & Alec) who
use the plastic wheel thankfully do not urinate in it.
Also, if you remember Cara's sudden anti-human-socialness and potential
factors -- I found it to be wheel related. When the wheel's in the tank
she sits and runs in it the entire time when I have the top off. With
the wheel out of the cage she suddenly becomes very interested in me and
exploring the outside world.
