im looking into getting some gerbils soon, but i want to know if i can house 1 male with 3 or 4 females???

also is their house the right size, i have two vivs that have a tube going from one to the other, and the first viv measures 24inch l x 18 h x 18 w and the second 18x18x18inch, giving a total length of 42 inch.

help would be great
thanks.

I think a trio maybe better 1 male 2 females, Now i dont know anything about gerbils ive never owned one.

But im sure there is a breeder on here that can help you out with whatever questions you have.

No no no you mustn't do that unless you want a bloodbath! And a litter of babies every month to boot!

Females are dominant in gerbil society, they will fight to the death over a male. And if there are any babies born they will kill any that aren't their own. You are much MUCH better getting two or three of the same sex from one litter. You are asking for trouble if you do what you are planning.

Minimum size of tank for two gerbils (in my opinion) is 2ft long, 1ft deep, 1.5ft tall. Tubes can be a hazard if they chew and swallow bits or grow too big and get stuck.

Please go and do some research before you get any gerbils! You have been posting about all kinds of rodents in the last few days and it seems to me that you might just be getting them on a bit of a whim.

I'm very worried now

Also, Mark, please don't give advice if you know nothing about it, what you have suggested is a very dangerous combination!

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Gerbil boys - Domino, Grub, Cameo, Chalky, Sokiro aka "Socks", Batman, Duma, Mali, Sputnik, Skip, Luka, Woody
Gerbil girls - Pumpkin, Togo, Mottle, Speckle, Luna, Kenya, Chibi, Flick, Waffle, Blaze, Shubie, Foxy, Bunny

iv done plenty of research into gerbils jus cant find anything about groups. so please dont bite my head off. iv been told by people who keep gerbils that it is ok too keep a few males together or a few females together or a male and a female.

Opps sorry didnt know just proves you learn something knew everyday

im affraid i have to agree. female gerbils can get very aggressive towards eachother, let alone the poor males.

if its any help, the tanks we use and the 20 gallon ones.

The general idea is 15 gallon for one gerbil and an extra 5 gallons for each additional gerbil.

Theres a great gebil forum for extra advice
gerbilforum.proboards21.com/index.cgi

how do males get on with each other

Males of the gerbil species are much sweeter and less "bolshy" than the females. They don't fight for territory like you might imagine. It's the females that you have trouble with. It's much much harder to introduce two unrelated females than two unrelated males. Females are more likely to have a falling out with one another down the line too, and this can and will end up in the death of one or more of them. Don't get me wrong, males will fight too. But the females are more troublesome.

It is ok to keep same-sex groups (ideally from the same litter because they will accept each other much more readily and are less likely to get sick of each other), and mated pairs are fine if you are prepared for the offspring that will result, but NOT a trio involving two females and one male. This is really just asking for trouble. Gerbils will mate for life if you let them. The females will decide the hard way who is worthy of that one mate if you put them in that situation.

I didn't mean to bite your head off, I apologise if I offended you. The point, however, remains the same. It's a very bad idea to do what you asked about.

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Home of Heidi - JRT x Lancs Heeler
Gerbil boys - Domino, Grub, Cameo, Chalky, Sokiro aka "Socks", Batman, Duma, Mali, Sputnik, Skip, Luka, Woody
Gerbil girls - Pumpkin, Togo, Mottle, Speckle, Luna, Kenya, Chibi, Flick, Waffle, Blaze, Shubie, Foxy, Bunny

I have three different same sex pairs.

I used to have four males living together but they declanned. I still have 3 of those gerbils but they are separated. The 4th one died in August of a stroke at only 1 year old.

One cage has two 4 year old boys in there and they get along VERY well

One cage has one 8 month old and one 5 month old and they have been living together for 2 months and they get on VERY well...Stuffy is NOTHING without Spaulding

One cage has one 1 year old and one 12 week old and they have been together for just a few days...they are getting on great as well!

I have never owned female gerbils but I do work at a pet shop and they are a lot more assertive and dominant than the males. The males are more laid back and less skittish!

ahh so my best bet is to go with a group of maybe 4 males from the same litter. how common is it to see them split up??
thanks guys