Housing a Gerbil: 100 × 40 cm and the full setup
Gerbil : A gerbilarium (tank topped with a cage section) of at least 100 x 40 cm with 20 to 30 cm of diggable bedding mixed with hay to stabilise the tunnels. A permanent sand area.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Cosy hanging plush nest for hamsters and small rodents (€17.90) · the whole shop
An accessory from our shop for this use: Modular plastic playpen for puppies and rabbits, 4 or 6 panels (from $87.90, ships from the US) · the US shop
Outside our shipping area? The downloadable practical guide: Small Pet Rodents: Choose Well, Care Well (€15)
In short: Around 10 to 12 cm without the tail and 60 to 110 g, a lifespan of 3 to 4 years, and a curious, active temperament that rarely bites. A tireless digger that rarely bites, it spends its life building tunnels and stays active in bursts around the clock. For this burrower, bedding depth matters more than floor area: it needs 20 cm or more to dig, and never a life alone.
100 × 40 cm of floor: the serious minimum
For a Gerbil (and it does not live alone), aim for 100 × 40 cm of uninterrupted floor space — shop cages almost always fall short. Height matters less than continuous surface: one big platform beats three mini-levels.
The standard layout
A tank or terrarium with a mesh lid and 20 cm or more of digging litter — gerbils live in their tunnels, not on top of them. an accessible sand bath, one hideout per animal plus one, a nest of hay or ink-free paper (never fluffy cotton, which garrottes limbs), a ceramic bowl and a bottle checked daily.
Temperature and placement
A temperate room (18 to 24°C), no direct sun or draughts, away from speakers and the television. Placed in the living room, this diurnal animal enjoys your company at the right hours.
Frequently asked questions
What cage size for a Gerbil?
100 × 40 cm of floor space minimum, in one piece — pet-shop minimums sit below serious welfare recommendations.
Where should a Gerbil cage go?
In a temperate, calm room, ideally the living room.
The guides that apply to you
- Gerbils as a pair: why the male can become as invested a parent as the female
The Mongolian gerbil is one of the few rodents that pairs for life, with the male actively caring for pups. A founding study explains this unusual behavior.
- Rat hammocks: your companions’ favourite place to sleep
The hammock is a rat’s favourite bed: suitable fabrics, safe attachment, how many hammocks per cage, upkeep and prices from 5 to 20 €.
- Pet chinchillas: what a survey reveals about the most common housing mistakes
A survey of chinchilla owners points to two recurring mistakes: cages that are too small and animals kept alone. Reason enough to rethink the setup at home.
- What cage for a guinea pig? The C&C enclosure is the real answer
What cage does a guinea pig need? Minimum floor space, the advantages of a modular C&C enclosure and a realistic budget: our guide to a truly suitable habitat.