New Litter Born January 6, 2010!

When you bring your new gerbils home they will be a little nervous around you because they are not used to your scent. If you adopt your gerbils from a breeder, they should be used to being handled so it should be easier to get them used to you. All you will need to do is get them used to your scent. If you get your gerbils from a pet store it will probably be more challenging since they probably won't be used to being handled. Either way, a little patience and persistence should pay off. At first you may want to just stick your hand in their cage so they can investigate you and get used to your scent. They may attempt to nibble a bit to see if you are food but it shouldn't hurt. Once you let them greet you for a bit you may want to get a sunflower seed to offer them a treat. Just put a few seeds in the palm of your hand and lower it into the cage. They will come to investigate and get their treat. Soon they will associate you with yummy treats and  you will become fast friends! Remember that it may take a little while for your new friends to get used to you so be patient and NEVER grab them by the tail to pick them up. If you grab a gerbil by its tail you could actually break its tail off! Instead, try to use both hands to form a cup and scoop it up gently. Soon everyone should calm down enough so that when you stick your hand in the cage your gerbils will walk right up on your hand to come out and visit with you.