I tried once to make a peat moss/straw habitat, but I also found that it was
not feasable. The peat is so dusty that it requires too much water
(considering they live in a desert!) to make it packable, even with the
straw.
What I have been doing is building my gerbils 'burrows' out of wood and
cardboard boxes, in which they happily chew and burrow. It's not ideal, but
I haven't found an easy way to make a more 'realistic' environment.
I have heard that a mix of clay-based soil and sand will work, because it
will stick together and become firm once it dries. Does anyone know
anything about this method? Thanks!
About the gerbil burials, I took mine to a medical research lab to dispose
of with their waste. They incinerate biohazardous waste (including
carcasses of research animals). It's not the most gracious method of
disposal, but it is good as it prevents any possible disease from spreading,
as well, you don't have to worry about other animals digging out the body.
If you call a medical research lab (any actual lab, not an administrative
office) at a public university, they may be likely to do that for you (for
free).
Lian
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