I BOUGHT GERBILS!... THEY HATE ME 

1:46 I tell you as a gerbil owner. People just don't know gerbils exist. I had family that when I said I got a gerbil they were like "what is that a rat?"Even on youtube no gerbil owners. So happy to see another gerbil owner ❤

I hear you're bummed. I have tamed many gerbils, including ones that were aggressive and prone to biting. It does take time to tame them. I offer treats and then work up to putting a treat on the back of my hand (not the palm of my hand). By that time, they will usually lean up and touch me. From there, I will rest my hand palm down in the cage until they start running over it. One big thing--a tank without a topper does mean that you're reaching DOWN into the cage which is seen as predatory. I recently bought a Savic XL Gerbil Habitat and had it shipped from Belgium to the U.S. It has a cage with long shelf on top of a deep tank. This allows my gerbil to dig, dig, dig AND come up when she feels safe and interact with me. One of the 2 that I have now actually de-clanned from a sister and there was traumatic violence, so I'm going slow with her. It's totally worth it to work with gerbils. I've also found that gerbils from a retail store like Petsmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus never work with their pocket pets AND they take them away from their mother too soon which can lead to anxiety and biting. Best to find a good breeder (we have one in Yorkville, IL and many in Ohio) that won't breed aggressive pets and never sells them too young. The American Gerbil Society online does list official breeders. If anyone finds that they just can't get the results they want, I recommend finding an animal rescue that specializes in pocket pets, not the regular humane society which won't take care of them well. In my area, Fur Angels Animal Sanctuary near Chicago does a fantastic job as does Exotic Animal Rescue and Pet Sanctuary (EARPS) in Indiana. Both have experienced gerbil owners who also volunteer who will work to socialize and tame a gerbil who is surrendered. Good luck! I'm glad you posted this video. I think it will help a lot of people. p.s. I was in Petco the other day getting supplies and a woman and her son were looking at gerbils. It was clear that she was an experienced owner as she was telling him the difference between a hamster and a gerbil and the little boy said, "They don't bite like hamsters do?" Clearly they'd had the experience of having hamsters and as far as I can tell, most of them bite. :)

They usually become less skittish and timid as they get older. If they do come out, give them a special treat and make a noise such as a kissing noise. If you always make the same noise when you give them a treat they'll soon come out of their burrow whenever they hear that noise. They learn quickly. I also read gerbils are often motivated by out of tank playtime but it may be a bit too soon for that. I hope they come out of hiding soon!

I have to pet gerbils :) I know this isn’t for all gerbils but they really like being petted on their head (also, I have the same type of pellet food that is shown in the thumbnail) 😂

They look like wild Gerbils more than pets.

Name ideas: Stuff and Things. Burley and Perique. Kevin and Kurt. Dunhill and Savinelli. Briar and Cob.

Get special treats that are extra delicious that you only give to them out of your hand 😊

Guinea pig bro, they are like little dogs. And they don't bite!

Take out the heavy stones and give them as much to burrow in as possible. Give them more lightweight shelters, hay and hiding places on the surface so that they can hide from imaginary birds of prey while foraging. Rearranging the cage will make them confident. Handle their bedding including the soiled stuff so that your hands smell like them as much as possible. Feed them a live mealworm once a week on the same day at a time when they come out to feed usually. 12:50 Make a tiny little chirping noise and initially drop the mw and stand back, eventually working up to handfeeding with a passive hand.

I always recommend a tray of snails.

If one of them were female, it seems like Elizabeth would be an especially appropriate name.

Get a bearded dragon and thank me later! They just sit there and are super friendly and laid back

Adorable! I will calm them Gerald and Bill … or “Ger” and “Bill” for short! Northern New Jersey loves you (and Diamond and Ger and Bill) :)

I have always had good luck with rats as pets, very smart and outgoing, friendly too. I found gerbils to be much as you see currently, with a side of biting.

Gotta name at least one of them Lemmiwinks, since they like to burrow so deeply ;-)

I just got gerbils and I dont know what to do with them. They're 2 males and I brought them home 4 days ago. I know it's short and they're probably still stressed from the ride. However, the first day they came out of their burrows quite a lot. Whenever i'd make a noise they came out. The next day it took them a little longer. The day after that (so yesterday) they barely came out. At first they took everything I gave them. Seeds, dried flowers etc. Since yesterday they take nothing anymore. I have to gently lift up the log they have in their burrow to get some movement from them. I did this because I was scared since I didnt seem them yesterday. They seem to come out when im not around? The cardbord had been chewed up after I came back from my exams. They do really seem to hate me, my voice or any noise actually. I leave them alone as much a possible. I try to give treats twice a day, but like I said since yesterday they won't come out.. One of them actually has a scentgland tumor (I think) I already contacted my vet and asked them if they treat gerbils (since these animals are not common in the Netherlands). Im waiting for a response and will take them if they treat gerbils. I think this may be part of the reason they're less active? They're basically in their burrows all day.. But I still think it's strange since they first came out a lot. Anyone tips..?

Gerbils aren't so happy about being handled as Hamsters. They are faster moving than hamsters too. If you want a pet you can hold more you should consider a hamster. They like to live alone not with other hamsters or gerbils.

Hmm if anything I think with the space you have in there they could have more bedding and toys. And gerbils are prey animals and not as bright as rats so it makes sense they’d be a bit slower to trust. You need to give them time to set tle in and handle them slowly. There’s great videos on how to build up trusy

Oh, how about a gerbil house? clear plastic tubes and all that? Sometimes sort of a neon orange and clear see through plastic? Pretty big in the "70/80's

I have two pet gerbils and I have owned them for about a year now. Their names are Honey and Fern and we’re skittish for the first few months,but now there more comfortable around me and look forward to play time.

Bradley makes gerbils disappear! :D

you should play your guitar for them, Bradley ... music calms the savage beasts

Luckily we still love you.

Cornell and Diehl

So, have you tamed them by now? :)

my gerbil hates me too

I miss my gerbils

I got 2 gerbils and there names are bow and arrow

They dont have you they just dont know you yet, give them some time

Lemmiwinks the Bold!

One time my cousin Walter got this cat stuck in his ass. True story. He bought it at a local mall so the whole fiasco wound up on the news. It was embarrassing for my relatives and all, but the next week he did it again. Different cat, same results complete with another trip to the emergency room. So I run into him a week later at the mall and he's buying another cat. And I say to him, Jesus Walt, what are you doing? You know you're just gonna get this cat stuck in your ass too, why don't you knock it off? And he said to me, Brodie, how the hell else am I suppose to get the gerbil out? My cousin was a weird guy. /shrug

Gerbils are sweet

Sounds like they have psychological issues lol

Nice

Get a little dog!

You look like one of those guys

You really need a house. So you can have better pets than (short pause) gerbils. Just saying.

My son brought home two gerbils from school at the end of the year. and of course my wife and I got stuck with taking care of them. we got so tired of the stinking cage, which got smelly soon after we changed everything. so one day i said to my son, "wanna see something neat?" he said yes so i told him to take one of the gerbils to a neighbor who had a big rat snake as a pet and put it in with the snake. well, you know the snake got it. He came running home and got the other one and put it in there. problem solved, snake well fed.