Health and temperament should be top priority when choosing a gerbil. Unfortunately, health is easier to determine than temperament! However, there are still some tips to help you pick the best tempered gerbil.
- Ask to hold the gerbil. Even if she/he squirms and explores a bit, that's okay. Just make sure it doesn't bite or nip, isn't extremely stressed, and isn't frantically trying to escape.
- Catch the gerbil yourself or at least watch the owner catch it. Its okay if it tries to avoid your hands a little, but the gerbil should not be too hard to catch.
- Look for a gerbil that is willing to come investigate hands. It should approach at least somewhat confidently and its best if the gerbil is willing to crawl onto your hands.
- If its okay with the gerbil's owner/the petstore worker, offer or have them offer a treat to the gerbil. Even if it won't take the treat, it should be curious and not afraid of your hands.
- Gerbils from a breeder that handles them from a young age are much more likely to be tame and well tempered.
- If you can, ask about and/or handle the gerbil's parents. Their temperaments may give you a clue to their pup's.
- Gerbils that are skittish of sounds or movement outside the cage are likely to be skittish of human hands as well.
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