Gerbil

When a gerbil comes in contact with another familiar gerbil they may greet each other by touching/rubbing noses together. Sometimes they will do the same with their owner as well. If a gerbil is frightened, you can expect it to bite, so they need to gain their owner's trust by being patient and giving positive reinforcement. If a gerbil hears the sound of their owner's voice before the owner gets to them then they won't be frightened. It shows them that their owner means no harm. A good trust exercise would be for the owner to hold a treat in their hand and have the gerbil come in contact with the owner and take the treat from their palm. Hay, shredded newspaper, paper bags, paper towels or toilet paper can be put in the gerbil cage for them to play around with or make a nest. Toys should be provided so the gerbil doesn't get bored and so they can hide. If a gerbil feels that they are in danger, or one of their companions are in danger, they will squeak loudly. Gerbils have scent glands and will rub their stomachs on their cage or other objects that they say are theirs and this means they are marking their territory. Gerbils don't need to be bathed, they will clean themselves similar to cats, and if there are more than one they will also clean each other.