Hi! I found this list several weeks ago and have been lurking and learning ever since. I was wondering if any of you could give me some advice. Here is my situation:
My son wanted a gerbil for his birthday and we decided to get one for our other son too (before knowing that they need a buddy anyway.) We ended up with a mom and 4 pups and they have been great so far. They were still nursing part time when we purchased them 9/1/01, but quickly weaned and so I am guessing that they are now about 10 weeks old or so. There are 3 female pups and one male in the litter. They all have ruby eyes and mom is either a dove or lilac from what I can tell (beautiful light gray.) Two pups are same color as mom, the other two are a little lighter with white blazes on the forehead and white shoulder stripes. We have them in a 20 gallon tank and they seem very happy. They love to come out and be handled which we do every day. They are all getting along very well so far. The male is now as big as his mom, and we don't especially want to breed. I know we have to take him out of the tank and are planning on getting him a male buddy to play with and bond to. Question is, when do we have to remove him? He is not mounting, but I keep watching. Would a younger male be better for him as a companion? I've read up on split tanks...will this be ok to introduce them in a neutral tank? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I wasn't too sure about gerbils, but they have been wonderful little pets so far. I think I enjoy them even more than the kids do! Thanks in Advance, Jean
