----- Original Message -----
> Beki Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>
> >I actually managed to catch Pet Rescue on Friday (UK TV show on, well,
> >rescuing of pet LOL), and the appeal at the end was looking for a home
for
> >two female gerbils. They were offering these girls with a large
acquarium
> >which they said was filled with Peat (called it a peatarium) which they
said
> >was the best thing to keep gerbils in. I want to do this with my two
> >acquariums. so:
> >
From: Julian and Jackie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: Peat Bedding Question
>
> You are summarising many of the issues that make keeping gerbils on peat
> such hard work. Bear in mind it is much heavier than other materials,
> the water spray will tend to make uneaten food go mouldy or sprout, and
> gerbils on peat will tend to spend a lot of time underground and can
> become more timid and less tame. Further, some people have found that
> the peat is so heavy it can collapse and injure gerbils.
>
> I am not saying you can't use peat, but it is a lot of work to keep it
> safe.
I agree with Julian and would also add that when I tried this I found that
the gerbils succumbed to respiratory infections a lot. You have to keep the
peat moist, otherwise the tunnels cave in with potentially fatal results.
However, gerbils do not like humidity.
Furthermore, if you care about the environment, you should try to find
alternatives to peat.
Sue
