Pet rodent care starts with creating a safe and enriching gerbilarium (a glass tank enclosure) that feels like a natural home. A spacious tank with deep substrate lets gerbils dig, build tunnels, and stay mentally active by expressing their natural burrowing instincts.
Adding hay bedding and soft nesting materials like cardboard tubes or shredded brown paper encourages nesting, keeps your pets comfortable, and reduces stress for better behavioral wellness.
Accessories such as rough stones for natural nail wear, wooden ledges, and chew blocks provide enrichment while helping keep claws healthy.
Enclosure upgrades like a secure mesh lid, a tank topper, and ramps give gerbils more room and encourage physical activity.
Always use safe materials and an escape-proof design to prevent injuries. Foraging toys, gnawing sticks, and exercise wheels add extra fun while supporting both physical and mental health.
A sand bath is another must-have—it helps with grooming and doubles as enrichment. Good airflow, appropriate humidity, and regular cleaning keep the habitat fresh. Daily spot cleaning, weekly bedding refreshes, and waste removal all help maintain a healthy environment.
Once your gerbilarium meets these needs, the next step is choosing the right size and setup—let’s explore that.
Choosing the Right Gerbilarium
Your choice of gerbilarium affects comfort, safety, and the overall well-being of your pets.
A sturdy glass tank with a secure mesh lid is best. It allows for deep substrate, safe digging, and plenty of space to move around.
The minimum tank size should be about ≈75 liters (20 gal) for two gerbils, with an extra ≈75 liters (20 gal) for each additional gerbil. This gives them room to dig, explore, and interact.
Substrate layering with hay and dust-free bedding materials strengthens tunnels and supports natural behavior.
Nesting materials like cardboard tubes or shredded paper provide comfort, while rough stones for natural nail wear and wooden ledges help with claw health. Chew blocks, gnawing sticks, and toys add variety and keep their minds active.
Proper ventilation keeps the air fresh and prevents dampness, which is important for health and hygiene.
Tip:
A multilevel enclosure with ramps and a tank topper not only adds more activity space but also lets you rotate enrichment items to reduce stress, prevent injuries, and keep the habitat safe.
- Ideal Size: At least ≈75 L (20 gal) for two gerbils; never go smaller.
- Location & Environment: Keep the tank out of direct sunlight and away from drafts for better air circulation and comfort.
- Enrichment & Maintenance: Add a nesting box, tunnels, and wooden hideouts. Clean regularly with spot checks, waste removal, and bedding changes.
- Social Setup: Keep gerbils in pairs or small groups to encourage natural social interaction while avoiding territorial conflicts.
Once you’ve chosen the right gerbilarium, you can set up bedding, enrichment, and accessories to give your pets a safe, happy, and stimulating life.
Setting Up a Glass Tank Enclosure
A gerbilarium should mimic a gerbil’s natural habitat so they can dig, nest, and explore freely. A spacious glass tank enclosure with a solid base offers the structural stability and space your pets need for compatible pairs or small groups.
The minimum tank size is about ≈75 liters (20 gal) for two gerbils, with an extra ≈75 liters (20 gal) for each additional gerbil. This encourages social interaction, supports behavioral wellness, and helps reduce stress.
Substrate and Environment Placement
A deep substrate layer of 20–25 cm (8–10 in), combined with hay bedding and other safe materials, creates strong tunnels and a functional burrowing area.
Nesting materials like cardboard tubes, brown paper strips, and hay allow gerbils to build nests and reinforce tunnels. Rough stones for natural nail wear and wooden ledges help maintain claw health, while toys such as chew blocks and foraging items add stimulation.
For safety, place the tank in a stable, quiet area away from direct sunlight.
A tank topper or access ramps can be added as upgrades, giving more vertical space and variety while keeping the habitat secure.
Once the base habitat is ready, make sure you have the right lid for airflow and safety.
Why Use a Secure Mesh Lid
A secure mesh lid improves gerbil care by allowing safe airflow and keeping the environment clean and healthy.
It helps manage humidity and reduces harmful ammonia buildup, keeping the habitat hygienic.
A fitted mesh lid also prevents escapes, stops bedding from being scattered, and protects your pets.
Key benefits include:
- Better air circulation, reducing respiratory issues.
- Structural stability for tank toppers and multi-level setups.
- Prevents bedding scatter during digging and play.
- Durability against chewing and scratching.
- Extra security for hideouts and nesting boxes inside the habitat.
When paired with regular cleaning—daily spot checks, weekly bedding refreshes, and waste removal—a secure mesh lid keeps the habitat safe and comfortable. From there, you can focus on enrichment items like exercise wheels, sand baths, and rotating toys to keep your gerbils happy and active.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Minimum ≈75-liter (20-gal) glass tank for two gerbils | Provides enough space for social interaction and reduces stress |
| 20–25 cm (8–10 in) of deep substrate with hay and safe materials | Encourages natural digging and tunnel building |
| Secure mesh lid | Ensures ventilation, prevents escapes, and maintains hygiene |
| Enrichment items like chew blocks and foraging toys | Supports mental stimulation and physical activity |
Creating a Deep Substrate Burrowing Area
A deep substrate layer is one of the most important parts of a gerbilarium. It allows gerbils to dig tunnels, nest, and show their natural behaviors. A glass tank enclosure with a secure lid and solid base makes sure digging can happen safely without escapes.
For best results, aim for 20–25 cm (8–10 in) of substrate.This depth lets pairs or small groups dig, play, and stay mentally active.
- Pairs: Minimum 20 cm (8 in) of substrate
- Small groups: 25 cm (10 in) or more
Choosing and Layering Safe Materials
Mix dust-free bedding (like aspen shavings) with hay bedding, cardboard tubes, and brown paper strips. This strengthens tunnels and mimics natural textures. Adding wooden ledges and rough stones for natural nail wear also helps with claw care.
Maintaining Hygiene and Comfort
Keep the habitat clean with daily spot cleaning, weekly bedding refreshes, and clean sand baths twice daily. This helps prevent dampness, odors, and stress while keeping air fresh and circulation strong.
Note: A tank of about ≈75 liters (20 gal) is the minimum for two gerbils, with an additional ≈75 liters (20 gal) for each extra gerbil.
With a deep substrate in place, you can move on to designing a tunnel system with hay bedding to keep your gerbils even more engaged.
Designing a Tunnel System with Hay Bedding
A glass tank enclosure with deep bedding is perfect for building tunnels that encourage digging and exploring. Hay bedding reinforces tunnels and doubles as nesting material.
Building Functional and Stimulating Tunnels
Mix hay with brown paper strips and cardboard tubes for variety. Add wooden hideouts and activity tunnels in multi-level setups for more space and stimulation.
- Start with cardboard tube pathways as main tunnels.
- Add nesting box chambers reinforced with hay.
- Connect levels with access ramps to encourage movement and foraging.
Maintenance and Enrichment Rotation
Change tunnel layouts every two weeks to keep things fresh and avoid territorial issues. Refresh bedding and remove waste to maintain hygiene.
Adding toys like chew blocks, gnawing sticks, and exercise wheels alongside tunnels keeps gerbils active, mentally stimulated, and healthy.
Gerbil Habitat Enrichment
- Keep substrate depth at 20–25 cm (8–10 in) for digging and interaction.
- Use a minimum ≈75-liter (20-gal) tank for two gerbils, plus ≈75 liters (20 gal) per extra gerbil.
- Layer aspen shavings, hay, cardboard tubes, and paper for strength and texture.
- Rotate tunnel layouts every two weeks for variety and enrichment.
What Nesting Material Keeps Gerbils Comfortable
Comfortable gerbilarium setups use the right nesting materials. A mix of hay bedding, cardboard tubes, and brown paper strips creates cozy nests and supports tunnel building.
Add rough stones for natural nail wear or wooden ledges for enrichment while helping claws stay healthy.
Safe Options for Nesting
- Hay – binds tunnels, adds texture and scent
- Brown paper strips – light, easy to shred
- Shredded cardboard – durable and chew-safe
Benefits of the Right Nesting Material
The right materials reduce stress, promote natural behavior, and help prevent injuries. Combined with a deep substrate, they give gerbils both comfort and stimulation.
Replacement Schedule for Bedding
Spot clean daily, replace bedding every 5–7 days, and always remove waste to keep the tank odor-free. This supports behavioral wellness and healthy living conditions.
Incorporating Chew Blocks and Foraging Toys
Chew blocks and foraging toys are essential for dental health, enrichment, and preventing boredom. Wooden hideouts, tunnels, and gnawing sticks all encourage chewing, which helps keep teeth naturally trimmed.
Supporting Dental Health
- Apple wood sticks – safe, tasty, and fun
- Willow balls – chewable and entertaining
- Mineral chews – help wear down teeth and provide nutrients
Encouraging Foraging
- Stuff cardboard tubes with hay and seeds.
- Use wooden hideouts as puzzle feeders.
- Fill paper bags with treats for shredding fun.
Tip: Rotate cage accessories weekly to keep gerbils curious and engaged.
How to Maintain Habitat Hygiene Effectively
A clean gerbilarium is a healthy one. Proper cleaning helps prevent illness and keeps the environment safe.
Daily Spot Cleaning
Remove soiled paper and damp bedding, and keep ledges and stones dry. This helps prevent bacteria and odor.
Weekly Deep Cleaning
Sanitize the tank with pet-safe solutions, refresh substrate, and clean accessories like sand baths and exercise wheels.
Safety Checks
Inspect ramps, toppers, and enclosures for cracks or damage. Fix issues early to keep housing secure.
Substrate and Bedding Refresh
Replace bedding regularly with dust-free, safe materials. Maintain deep layers for digging while keeping everything hygienic.
Accessory Care
Rotate and clean hideouts and tunnels to keep things interesting and safe for your pets.
| Cleaning Task | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Daily Spot Cleaning | Removes soiled items, helps prevent odor, and keeps air fresh |
| Weekly Deep Cleaning | Sanitizes enclosure, refreshes bedding, and supports proper airflow |
| Safety Checks | Helps prevent injuries and keeps housing stable |
| Substrate and Bedding Refresh | Keeps environment clean, safe, and suitable for digging |
Conclusion
Set up a roomy glass gerbilarium with a secure mesh lid, deep substrate of 20–25 cm (8–10 in), and a minimum size of about ≈75 liters (20 gal) for two gerbils. Layer dust-free bedding with hay, add tunnels and nesting materials, and include enrichment like chew blocks, foraging toys, and a sand bath. Keep the habitat clean with daily spot checks and weekly refreshes, and rotate toys and tunnel layouts to keep things interesting. With these simple steps, your gerbils will have a safe, comfortable, and engaging home.
