Please no rude comments. I am studying gerbils and hamsters because I want a Gerbil or a hamster and might be getting one and wondered if anyone had any opinions. Especially owners of Gerbils and hamsters. Thanks!
Also, Please give some websites. And if you own Gerbils, where did you get them and what kind of cage do you have?
2006-08-09 09:01:05 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I don't care if I mispelled it! Please, only answer if you are going to say something helpful!!!!!
2006-08-09 09:15:14 · update #1
I always preferred gerbils, they don't smell as much and are a lot of fun to watch tunnel if you give them five or six inches of bedding. You do need to keep them in a tank instead of a cage though.
2006-08-10 04:36:52 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gerbils are much less likely to bite, I've had over 15 gerbils and have only been bitten once (breaking up a fight in the night, not really the gerbs fault). Hamster will bite just for waking them up, lol. And gerbils are easier to tame because they are so curious.
The ABC gerbil site that a person above posted is a very good site. So is this one: http://www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/
And from the ABC gerbil site, a page on Gerbils vs. Hamsters (in case you didn't notice it): http://www.abcgerbils.com/versus.html
My vote is for gerbils!!!
I wouldn't house gerbils in anything smaller than a 20 gallon long, they are active animals and need the room. Also, I don't like crittertrail cages. It's dangerous for them to chew on the wires, they are too small, they could chew out through the plastic, and they can't really pile up the bedding and burrow like in a tank.
I got mine from a petstore, but try to go through a breeder if possible. They will be healthier and more tame that way. And probably cheaper.
2006-08-09 10:48:33 · answer #2 · answered by Em 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gerbils actually like human contact whereas hamsters just tolerate it. gerbils will consider u part of the family once they know u. they prefer company while hamsters(syrian) must be kept alone. i am mainly familiar with syrians so iam speaking of them when i say hamster. gerbils can be active day or night while hamsters mostly sleep in the day. basically if u want more interaction then gerbils are better, but i love my hamsters & dont care that they dont want me. i like watching them.
they can use the same type cages - the bigger the better. i connected 2 for mine. but gerbils chew more so becareful that the cage isnt one they can chew their way out of! they need extra chew toys.
neither are natural biters like people think. if they bite it's for a reason. a problem that usually can be solved.
i suggest checking your local humane society before buying at a store. they often have ones that need homes.
http://www.petfinder.com/
good luck not getting rude comments. someone always posts something they think is funny.
2006-08-09 09:17:50 · answer #3 · answered by galaxygurl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gerbils are the best! they VERY RARELY bite and love to explore. there are very few in the breed that are shy. most of them love to know whats going on around them and really enjoy the company of their owners. even if you dont handle them they are not lazy like hamsters and will keep you entertained for hours. hamsters in my opinion are good for people who are on the same sleep schedule as them but nobody else. however gerbils are not nocturnal, they sleep for short periods whenever they feel like it. my gerbils are housed in a 10-gallon aquarium WITH A LID (very important!!). they hav their wheel and food dish and water bottle and the occasional dog biscuit for their chewing pleasure. they also get toilet paper tubes everytime we have an empty one. and a paper towel every day to add to their nest for their children. they love chewing!! clean the cage every 2 wks if you have up to 4 gerbils and NEVER KEEP A GERBIL ALONE. it may very well die of depression or lonliness. honestly.
2006-08-13 06:07:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since girbles are desert creatures, they pee less and you don't have to clean the cage out as often. I used to have girbles when I was little and compared with all of the hampsters that I have met, the girbles were much better.
2006-08-09 10:44:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please have a look on my web site for care sheets on both hamsters and gerbils www.artsaquaticsandanimals.com
2006-08-09 09:28:09 · answer #6 · answered by stevehart53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gerbils
2006-08-09 09:05:10 · answer #7 · answered by Fizz 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They're both ill tempered little biters
2006-08-09 09:16:04 · answer #8 · answered by Who am I? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hamsters.
2006-08-09 11:06:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋