Should I get a hamster or a gerbil?

Question

I am considering getting a hamster or gerbil. Can anyone tell me what the differences are regarding:

1) Which one is more likely to bite

2) Personality differences

3) Whether one is easier to care for than the other (I've heard that gerbil cages don't get quite as dirty as hamster cages.)

Any other info that would help me choose between them would also be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

1) it really depends how you treat either one growing up. i have a gerbil and he only bites occasionally (according to the vet)  if my hand gets hot and makes him uncomfortable or if he's in pain.

2) hamsters sleep more than gerbils and gerbils want to be played with more (in my experience)

3) gerbils keep their cages very tidy and its mostly the same with hamsters. my gerbil will stay up all night re-arranging the bedding to his liking so i know he goes for a pretty long time without me having to clean his cage due to odor. (plus, he always does his "business" in the same spot... ha ha)

Answer 2

hampster

gerbiles more laid back

nd u heard rite

But.................if u wnt a reely laid back pet that doesnt bite at all, id get a pet male rat, or if u want a really playful(good 4 young kids i guess) pet that doesnt bite at all id get a female pet rat. they dont bite, nd i like there personalities better. They r usually cleaner to

Answer 3

1)hamster

2)hamsters are playful and funny to look at when they play. gerbils are kinda scary looking

3)gerbils are easier to care for

I rather hamsters though

Answer 4

1) Both have the same likelihood of biting. Hamsters and Gerbils only bite out of fear, not aggression. If you were to put either one in a situation in which they are frightened they may very well bite. It also depends upon the socialization the hamster or gerbil has received. Are they used to be picked up? Do they take food from a hand? Are they comfortable with humans messing around with their surroundings? These are questions you should ask before getting either one. Gerbils do tend to be more curious and less frightened.

2) Hamsters are crepuscular and sleep during the day and are active at the evening and night. Gerbils are Diurnal, this means they are active during the day but do sleep at night and during the day, as well. This may conflict with when you would like to take out your hamster/gerbil to play. If you are looking for an animal that will entertain you with their antics, a gerbil is probably a better choice. If you are looking for a low easy going pet, a hamster may be better.

3) Gerbils and Hamsters require about the same care. They need food and water regularly and their cage cleaned once a week. Gerbils require timothy hay daily, as a major staple of their diet. Gerbils chew constantly and will chew their way out of a plastic tank. I'm not sure where you received information about gerbils cages being less dirty because from personal experience, this is not true. Gerbils push and throw their bedding everywhere and should live in an aquarium tank. Otherwise, you will have bedding EVERYWHERE outside the cage. Also, gerbils do not have a set bathroom place whereas, hamsters only pee in one area of their cage. Gerbils require at minimum a 20 gallon aquarium tank. Hamsters can live in wire cages but you should not purchase a superpet crittertrail habitat or SAM cages as these are unsafe and FAR too small.

Hamsters and Gerbils are lovely pets that love treats and daily romps outside their cage. Gerbils do require a lot stimulation as they have a lot of energy. I would advise you to check out petfinder.com or your local humane society because they frequently receive hamsters and gerbils in need of homes.  

Answer 5

Many decide that a hamster or gerbil is the best choice as a small pet in the home. There are a few noted differences between a hamster and a gerbil, which can help one make the decision about the best individual choice.

One of the primary differences between the hamster and the gerbil is socialization needs. Gerbils in the wild live in groups for the most part. The solitary gerbil in the cage may be quite unhappy. Thus if one is choosing a gerbil it is best to purchase more than one to prevent loneliness. However, when buying more than one gerbil, it is wiser to get younger gerbils, as they will naturally bond.

If one wishes to avoid a gerbil family, choose two male gerbils. Female gerbils tend to be more aggressive with each other, but males tend to get along fairly well. This is particularly the case if they are littermates or are housed together at a young age.

The hamster, conversely, tends not to need a friend in captivity. So if one is looking for a single small pet, the hamster may be the better choice. Female hamsters tend to be aggressive with each other, as well. So one should avoid housing two female hamsters together. Two male hamsters are ideal.

Another big difference between the hamster and gerbil is sleeping patterns. Hamsters are nocturnal, and will spend most of the day sleeping. The captive gerbil is diurnal, and thus will not disturb one’s sleep by shuffling or digging around in a cage. The captive gerbil is more up for play during the day, while the hamster may not be quite as happy to wake up and play.  

Answer 6

i aksed the same question the other week alot of people sed hamster but i thought gerbis are better they are less smelly dont come out at night early evening they nevr bite and u can train them to sit in ur shoulder. but its best to have  a fish tank for them i use a 3ft 1 that i got in the friday ad for £15 that more then  fine try this site its about gerbils there behaviours health issues feeding taming etc

http://rgerbils.webs.com/...  

Answer 7

I would say hamsters are better than gerbils. I have had both before. My gerbils were not very freindly but i think it really depends on the individual one. Hamsters are very friendly and sweet they love to play and are pretty quiet depending on their wheel. I think it's true that gerbil cages don't get as dirty as hamster cages. My hamsters loved being held unlike my gerbils. So, I would highly reccomend getting a hamster. Be sure to pick one with a great personality, just watch it at the store before you purchase it. At first your hamster will need to adjust so just let he/she  be at first. Good Luck!

Answer 8

hamster

1.I'm getting one for my birthday ( 30th august) lol

2. there cute

3.gerbils are easy to clean out but hamsters are more entertaining

Answer 9

I own two gerbils and they are extremely friendly and active. They nip your hands occasionally, but they are so playful and fun. You can also train them to do many tricks, and its really entertaining to watch. Gerbils are the least smelling rodent, and their cages don't get very dirty at all. The only con might be that they chew A LOT, and so you'll be going through all the cardboard in your house pretty fast. However, you can always buy a cheap wooden house from the pet store and keep them busy for awhile. My friend own two roborovski hamsters and she used to own gerbils too. She said to never get hamsters because they are 100% nocturnal, they bite, fight amongst themselves, and aren't friendly. They are also slightly smelly. Gerbils live longer: their average life span is 3-5 years, where a hamsters' is 2-3. Good luck deciding!

Answer 10

1 a gerbil is not most likley to bite 2 nothing!!!3 I think you should go with a gerbil by the way girl gerbils a easier to take of