hamster vs. gerbil?

Question

i've been visiting some local pet stores and decided I would like to keep a hamster or maybe a gerbil.

I've researched them and still can't decide. I know gerbils are diurnal and hamsters are more nocturnal.

Any personal opinions? (hopefully people who have actually owned one or possibly both of these?)

thanks!

i've read that chameleon hamsters don't bite, is this true?

Answer 1

personally i don't like either.

But, my suggestion would be one that will work with your schedule. What I mean is.... if you are only going to be able to play with at night, then get the nocturnal one.

Answer 2

Here is one comparison of hamster and gerbils:
http://www.abcgerbils.com/versus.html

I like keeping gerbils better because they are awake in the day, are social and fun to watch together, and are curious animals always ready for action. Gerbils move faster than hamsters though so are not so "cuddly" in this way.

Gerbils also only drink a teaspoon of water a day and pee very little so they are practically odorless.

Whether you get two gerbils or a hamster make sure they are well-bred, tame and friendly from the moment you buy them. Often getting them from a breeder is the way to go as they will already have been handled lovingly from a young age.
http://agsgerbils.org/Breeders.html

Answer 3

There is a huge difference between hamsters and gerbils, so do not believe any of the folks trying to tell you differently. The best thing that you can do is research both of them to help you decide which would be more suitable for you. There are many, many reputable books out there about both of them. Not to mention the various web sites dedicated to both species. You should really find out their different traits, habits, health needs, etc. before committing to one or the other. I myself have owned both of them and I preferred hamsters over gerbils. Regardless both of them are much cleaner pets than rats or mice. Rats and mice are filthy creatures. Hamsters usually use one corner of their cage for their bathroom which keeps the rest of the cage primarily clean. Gerbils do not consume alot of water preferring to obtain what little moisture they need from their food, so they do not urinate very much thus the cage stays fresher longer. Their are good points and bad points to both of them and like I said you really need to research them both to figure out which you would be more comfortable. I always had golden hamsters and I never had one bite me, but I did get nipped quite a few times by the gerbils. It just goes to show that it can go either way. One thing I have noticed is that gerbils seem to be a bit more high strung and jumpy while hamsters usually are a little more laid back. Good luck, I hope this helps you.

Answer 4

I have personally had both. I went to my local pet store and asked them which of the 2 were better for kids. He said that the hamsters are the worst as far as the biting. The Chinese dwarf was the best at no biting and the Gerbils were the best at no biting. I got 2 Gerbils and they have never bit any of my 4 kids. They take them out everyday and play with them. I think you should choose the gerbils. They are alot more fun and they don't bite!!

Answer 5

I prefer the gerbil. I love gerbils.
In my opinion I think the gerbil is cleaner. You don't have to clean their cage as often as a hamster. I have to change my hamsters cage ever other day. Man they stink. I also believe the gerbil is more friendlier. The only problem I found with a gerbil is they like to chew, so I put them in an aquarium. The hamsters stink, they sleep all the time and they like to bite.

Answer 6

I have over 100 hamsters and around 40 gerbils. To pick one over the other is hard. It really depends on what you're looking for as a pet. Gerbils are more active, playful and entertaining. They are friendly and easy to hold. They will not sit and be pet for extended periods of time in your hands though. Gerbils do best if kept in same sex pairs so plan on getting two.

Syrian hamsters must be housed separately. Dwarf hamsters can live in same sex pairs but will need to be separated if they start to fight, some do, some don't.

There are five hamster species commonly kept as pets. I assume that you are referring to Syrian hamsters in your question. Syrians are usually incorrectly called "Teddy Bears", "Panda Bears", "Black Bears", etc... Syrian hamsters do not have the activity level that gerbils do, but I wouldn't call them inactive. Male Syrians tend to be more laid back than females. Most of my males will sit quietly in my hand being pet for a long time. If you're looking for one to cuddle, get a Syrian. I'd recommend a male and I'm very fond of the longhaired ones. Syrians are the best hamster for a first time hamster owner.

Campbells Russian Dwarves, Winter White Russian Dwarves and Chinese hamsters (note- Chinese hamsters, while small, are not dwarf hamsters) are better suited for someone that has had hamsters before. They are better suited for "intermediate" hamster owners. Roborovski Dwarf hamsters are best suited for experienced hamster owners. While small, cute and rarely bite, they cannot be handled the way the other species of hamsters can. They are very fast and do not enjoy being handled so they get away when being handled very easily.

I recommend you search for hamster or gerbil breeders in your area. They are easy to find with an internet search. Animals from a breeder will have much better health and temperaments than pet store animals. On top of that, believe it or not, getting one from a breeder will be cheaper! I purchased my gerbils from breeders for $2.50-$7 and the most I've ever seen a hamster breeder sell their hamsters for are $10. I've paid $26 for a hamster from Petsmart before! A breeder will also be able to tell you more about the personalities and requirements of their animals.

-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com

Answer 7

Have you considered a pet rat? Many people are queeged out by the tails, but rats are intelligent, clean, social and make wonderful pets. They are also very adaptable to your schedule, so although they are nocturnal, they will quickly learn when you are coming home and be waiting at the door of the cage for you!!

I have three (rats are social and like to be kept in at least same sex pairs) and they are inexpensive, fun, interactive and very loving. Almost like tiny little dogs. They know their names, can learn tricks...the list goes on and on. Oh, and they don't bite like a lot of hamsters do.

I have owned both hamsters and gerbils and found the hamsters to be too notcurnal, too bitey, the tube cages were difficult to keep clean and it seemed as though they weren't really that happy to see me (unless I had treats!). The gerbils were better, but they were very fast & nervous and I had a bad experience with one that ate the other's tail. Yuk.

I have also had guinea pigs (hey, I'm 41...I've had many years to try many pets!!) and out of all the rodents I've kept for pets, rats have been the best. My experience has been very positive with them anyway.

Try checking out the following sites:

www.ratfanclub.org
www.quite.co.uk/rats
www.afrma.org/rminfo1.htm

Good luck and I hope ultimately you find a pet that suits what you're looking for!!

Answer 8

Hamsters are great, really fun to watch if you've got a tube cage. Gerbils... I don't know. There really isn't a whole lot of difference between the two. To decide, don't go on species, go on which one catches your eye, whether it be gerbil or hamster. The best way to choose a pet is not by breed, but by the feeling you get when you're with that animal. It should be a bond right from the start. I hope I've helped.

Answer 9

I would get a hamster. I'd suggest you see if your local pet store will let you hold a few different ones you can see which one you might like best. The hamsters that usually bite are the ones that people get and never get them out of the cage. If you get a hamster you should get them out every other day or so even if it's only for 15-20 minutes. They will be more sociable and less likely to bite.

Hope this helped.

Answer 10

Hamsters tend to BITE. ALOT.

Gerbils are far more docile.

Seriously, I used to raise rodents, and of all the species I've worked with, Gerbils and Rats make the best bets.

Hamsters were always the biters, and trust me, when you want to pick up a furry little rodent and pet it, a species that bites is a big issue.

And don't think you can "tame" it, either. Hamsters are notorious biters that USUALLY don't quite that behavior.

Answer 11

i got a hamster 2 days ago and it is so cute! it sleeps all day but at night i love watching it climb the bars and i dont know how i lived without it! From now on i'm always going to lilve with hamsters!

Gerbils and hamster are alike so why not get both?