Gerbil behaviour

Make sure your gerbils are able to behave normally

Facts

As prey animals, gerbils are naturally timid and use their large, deep burrows to protect them from predators, which they construct themselves by digging.
If a gerbil perceives a threat, he/she will thump the hind feet rapidly, which will prompt the whole group to disappear into the burrow.
Wild gerbils are usually active both day and night in the summer, tending to spend more time underground in the winter and emerging only on the sunniest days.
Gerbils of both sexes have a strong motivation to scent-mark their territory using their bellies and feet. They may also use urine and faeces. Gerbils recognise each other by their own scent.

Ensure that your gerbils always have plenty of opportunity to hide and dig at all times of the day and night.
Never startle or frighten your gerbils; they assume that they are in danger if they hear loud or threatening noises.
Make sure that your gerbils have space to exercise, play together and have appropriate enrichment at all times of the day and night. A running wheel can help with this, but additional opportunities are also necessary and the wheel should not be the only enrichment provided.
If a wheel is provided it must be of good quality with a large diameter– for example one intended for rats; it must be a solid structure and axel free for the safety of your pet; and should ideally have a non-slip running surface.
If your gerbil develops sore feet whilst using the wheel, remove the wheel temporarily and seek advice from your vet.
Consider providing additional tubes of no less that 5cm diameter - or your gerbils will get stuck! Avoid plastic objects due to the gerbils’ tendency to gnaw - tunnels made of wood or hay are ideal.
Provide objects such as a large stone that your gerbils can use for scent-marking.
Never leave your gerbils out of their gerbilarium unattended or overnight.