Can a gerbil and a hamster get along?

Gerbils are social animals, known for living in pairs and even large colonies. Known for their territorial nature, when confronted by other animals, hamsters will attack. Because of these drastically different social needs, gerbils and hamsters should never be placed in the same cage together.

Is it better to get a hamster or a gerbil?

Gerbils are ideal pets for children who have little or no experience caring for a small animal. This is due to the fact that gerbils are active throughout the day and rarely bite. Hamsters, however, do not like to be petted or held. Hamsters will bite when they are held or if they become irritated.

Can you put a new gerbil in with an old one?

Younger gerbils get along better because they have to, as they begin life with lots of brothers and sisters. So, if possible, you should try to introduce one younger gerbil with one older gerbil. The younger gerbil will be comfortable with the older one, as it’s used to living with older gerbils (its parents).

Do hamsters get along with other hamsters?

They are social creatures and get along well with other dwarf hamsters, so you can keep them together with others in a cage once they have been properly introduced. You should ideally house them with others of the same gender, because if you put males and females together they will breed rapidly.

What can live with a gerbil?

Gerbils are social and can live with other gerbils, but may be viewed as prey by more aggressive species. Guinea pigs are social but need to be introduced carefully because some individuals are quite territorial and may attack any animal they view as invading their territory.

What lives longer hamster or gerbil?

Gerbils usually live longer than hamsters – three to eight years on average, versus two to five years for hamsters (with these figures varying according to species). Gerbils need a much deeper cage than hamsters, for digging.

Are gerbils good pets for 9 year olds?

“Gerbils are easy to take care of but not very hands-on,” Dr. Quesenberry says. “They’re fine for kids who don’t want to be that involved.” Unlike hamsters and guinea pigs, gerbils have a relatively short lifespan—about two years.

How do you introduce 3 gerbils?

Place one gerbil on each side of the divider so that they can see but not touch each other. Several times a day alternate the side that each gerbil lives on so they get used to each others’ scent. Continue swapping the gerbils from side to side for a minimum of 7 days (longer is even better).

How do you introduce a new gerbil to a pair?

Keep swapping them over in the tank several times a day, and I’ve heard it said that when it does finally come to the introduction then it can be best to do it on neutral territory (like in a playpen, washing basket, bathtub etc, somewhere that doesn’t smell of either gerbil), and of course have a pair of thick gloves …

Do hamsters eat dead hamsters?

Depending on the species, hamsters may be cannibalistic because they’re territorial. For example, Syrian hamsters can be aggressive toward other hamsters and, in some cases, they’ll kill and eat the other hamster in the cage. In the wild, the smell of a dead pup would attract predators, something the mother can’t risk.

Why did my hamster eat its sibling?

She may have died from an illness or other natural causes. When this happens, the other hamster will sometimes eat them. As horrible as it sounds, it’s a natural behavior. In the wild, they do this to prevent the smell of decay from attracting predators.