Gerbil Care for Beginners

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. If I had a gerbil, would I need to give it plenty of things to chew on? Yes No

2. My gerbil looks unhappy. I don't know why, he has a big cage all to himself, things to chew, a little house and a wheel! Why is he unhappy? Gerbils shouldn't have wheels - they're dangerous! He doesn't like his house. He hasn't got enough things to chew. He's all on his own in a big cage and would like a friend.

3. What beddings should I NOT use in my gerbil's cage? corncob and shredded toilet paper pine and cedar aspen and paper wood shavings and soft compost

4. Whoops! The water bottle in the cage spilt! But maybe my gerbil might want to eat something damp. Should I clean it up? Yes No

5. Oh! She won't come out and play! Never mind, her tail's showing, I can pick her up with that. Wait, why not? It will make her nervous. You could, no problem. It will make her ill with a cold. Her tail might come off.

6. If I wanted my gerbil to be happy, what should I give her? 27 sunflower seeds Nothing! You should take away her mate. A cardboard tube. Loads of peanuts!

7. Hey! Listen! Ooh, my gerbils are making thumping noises! They're both males, so what does this mean? My gerbils are saying 'Back off!' to each other. My gerbils are trying to play 'We Will Rock You!' by Queen. My gerbils have found food. My gerbils are warning each other of a possible threat.

8. Ooh cool! Now my pet hamster, Cindy, has a friend! Lets introduce them! I'll pop Cindy into my gerbil's tank and we'll see how they get on! Wait, Mum says I shouldn't. Why? No reason, Mum is wrong. The hamster will give the gerbil a disease. The gerbil will give the hamster a disease. Gerbils and hamsters will fight!

9. My gerbil looks like she is saying prayers now. She is standing up tall and has her paws together. What does this mean? She is annoyed. She is happy. She is scared. She is hungry.

10. My gerbil's tank doesn't smell, even though it's 5 weeks since I changed the bedding and washed it. Mum says I shouldn't worry, it can go another few weeks without a wash. Should I change them now? Yes No