Which has the better temperament. Male or Female?

Question

I am considering buying some Gerbils for my children.
I was wondering if there were any differences between the sexes in temperament.
Also how many should I get? Is two enough?

Answer 1

females the males fight

Answer 2

I have not found any real difference in temperments between the sexes. If you are getting females, don't get any more than two, but males can be kept in either a pair or a trio. Females are more territorial and don't do as well in trios.

I would add that gerbils aren't the most laid back of the rodents; they are kind of always on the go. But, my 4 year old can safely handle our gerbils with no problems, although I have taught her about holding them for the past 2 years ;-) I would recommend you get 2 young, tame gerbils, preferably from a breeder, because they are usually so much more socialized. You can find the current list of breeders on the American Gerbil Society's website. If there isn't a breeder near to you, ideally someone at the pet store should be able to handle the gerbils with no incident. A well-socialized gerbil should never bite unless it is being handled roughly (and some pet store employees are completely clueless about the correct way to handle them)

Ah yes, and one other tidbit of information: If the tail is grabbed, the skin may come off...so be sure to warn the kids never ever pick them up or grab them by the tails. It isn't fatal to them, but the injured part of the tail will eventually fall off. Yuck!

Answer 3

Sex should not be a huge issue. So long as they come form the same litter, and are the same sex they will get along. I have had gerbils for almost 5 years and biting hasn't been an issue.
Females are the dominant sex in gerbils so you cannot keep more than 2 females. Males can be kept in larger groups.
I tend to like males better, but either sex should be good.
You need to get a pair as gerbils can become lonely and are unhappy alone. They need a companion.

In my expirence, an aquarium is the best housing and they love digging and the litter will get everywhere. A lid is a must.

Answer 4

If you want some really good advice dont get gerbils for children as they dont like being held very much and move really fast ( gerbils not the children ) A rat is a really good pet, they are clean, friendly and seldome bite. I have had both males and females and they are both cute, the males tend to be bigger. You can keep 2 females in the same cage, they like being held and are by far the better pet

Answer 5

i would think gerbils have very similar temperaments to rats n by what i know of rats the females are generally more active whereas the males are more relaxed and chilled out about things

Answer 6

Make sure the gender is different, if they have babies the male will eat the babies! I heard the female are better, and the male may pee on you. (at least for rats) Get one for each of your kids old enough for the responsibilities, or you will have 1, or 2 . . . I honestly like rats better, they will not bite(unless you are the food. . . or squeeze them)

Answer 7

hoenslty i woudl recomend getting rats instead of gerbils, there cleaner, and friendlier, and they do a lot more.. your kids can teach then tricks, they learn there names... hehe one of my first pets was a rat and i still am getting more, ifyour interested send me a email at [e-mail] that and i would get a same sex and 2 they like company, and that way you dont get babies, and some ppl say males are calmer then females and others think females are calmer then males.. though males get a little bigger (this is with rats btw )

Answer 8

Females are more active, curious, slim shape and don't get on so well, but keeping 2-3 ones together is fine. Males are just laid back, more stocky and can be kept in larger groups without problems; but are proner to scent gland tumours. Just choose what do you like better... Oh and yes, two are really enough.

Answer 9

Im not sure about gerbils, but I'll give it a shot, since I have hamsters and everything. In hamsters males are generally nicer, my female always bit me, and I'm guessing your kids dont want to be bitten. They should really be put in seperate cages, fish tanks sold for reptiles work really well. Female hamsters will fight, so will males, if put together in one cage. Im sorry if this didnt help you.

Answer 10

I would say males! Defintly! Females are protective they become territorial bcause they have the children. Even if your not breading them! Males don't have these instincts as much as they abandon the children.

Answer 11

I would think a female because a male can be a bit of a problem because they will bite you.