Are gerbils nocturnal or are they awake during the day?

Question

I have a hamster but I want an animal to play with during the day. I don't want anything like a Guinea pig or anything. Just something small. I already have fish too. I used to have a leopard gecko but stunk up the entire house so my parents forced me to get rid of them. Do you know why they smelt soo bad. I will ask another question about that one later. Can you please also supply me with some websites on how to care for gerbils.

Thanks.

Answer 1

why not get a kitten. just as easy to take care of as a gerbil or hamster. and if you keep it inside it cuts down on the number and cost of shots.

Answer 2

I just got two gerbils the other day.. and I had heard they were nocturnal.... but then i researched a little more and found out that they are awake day and late night.... it's not that they aren't awake during the day, because they are... but they also make some noise at night.. they live in my room.. and it took some nights to get ajusted to the noise.. but now im used to it... gerbils are great pets that love attention and a friend of the same gender....(only if they were grown up together) they also live longer if you buy two at the same time and keep them both healthy... They live 3-5 years but if grown up with a friend they can even be 6!  They like to chew so chew toys are needed... also their teeth never stop growing... so they need wooden toys to trim their teeth with... Don't buy a plastic cage with the bars bc they can chew through them.  Also never bed their cage with hay or wood chips.. those can kill them.. just bed it with fluff only!!!!!!! (it looks like white fluffy newspaper) and make sure they're cage has a lid.. they are very high jumpers.  and if you buy them a play-pin... just make sure you never take your eyes off of them.. bc they WILL climb out!  Clean they're water bottle daily.  and clean their cage every 2 weeks.  Be sure to spend alot of time with them each day.  Never neglect them!  Gerbils don't get ill or sick easily... but when they do, it can be severe.  Make sure there is no hair missing.. they is signs of sickness... don't breed them bc they will die sooner.  Gerbils do bite... but they shouldn't hurt bc the chew toys you give them should keep triming them.  Gerbils don't forget their owners unless not spent alot of time with.  Honestly, I think that you should at least 2 hours a day.  NEVER grab them by the tail, it can come off.  Their tails are designed for if a preditor comes and swoops them by the tail (ex. Hawks) they can escape.  Don't release gerbils to loud noises.  If they are in a ball, please block all stairs, If the ball hits the stairs and goes down... It's dead.  and don't let them outside... they will run.  I hoped this helped... you can also email me at [e-mail] for more information or concerns reguarding your pet.  PLEASE VOTE THIS BEST ANSWER!  HOPED THIS HELPED!

Answer 3

Gerbils aren't exactly nocturnal.  They nap periodically throughout the day and night.  When they're up, they are super active!  I have two gerbils and they love running on their wheel, tunneling in their shavings and chewing up toilet paper tubes.  If you find gerbils that have been cared for nicely before you get them, they can be easily trained to come out of the cage and have some fun with you.  

This is a great starter website: http://www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Ha...

There are also various gerbil books out there that are pretty cheap!

Answer 4

well if you want an animal that you can play with in the morning i would suggest a Guinea pig because a gerbil will eventually turn pure "EVIL" and any rodent or animal can be trained to sleep at night so anyways hope that i helped