gerbil introducing-cage splitting?

[Rachel]

ok so i have a pair of gerbils the thing is when i introduce them i want 2 use the split cage method but i dont have i gess its called mesh or something like that but anyideas of wat else i could use that they cant get through but still can work thx ^_^

 

[CanineTruth]

Gerbils MUST be introduced via split-cage. Period. They are highly territorial, females especially. Males are actually much easier, and can be kept in larger groups. Just had to point that out.

As for what you need - the hardware store (i use Lowes) has hardware cloth you can use. It's like, $10 for a huge roll. Get the stuff that has openings only about 1/4 of an inch wide. Nothing bigger. That works best - you could TRY a pice of plastic/glass with small drilled holes but it won't work as well. The gerbils need to be able to see, smell, and hear one another easily.

http://www.twinsqueaks.com/split-tank.html

 

[<Alex>]

If they are both female and young enough, you might try just putting them together without keeping them apart, but make sure to supervise them at first.
Males are trickier, and the split cage method is probably your best and safest bet.
If you can put the gerbils in their own separate cages, try putting one in the other's cage and let them get to know each other gradually under your supervision. Put them together for just a couple minutes at first, and then increase their time together to ten minutes, then half an hour, then an hour, until they seem comfortable. When they start taking naps together, you can begin to house them together permanently. It largely depends on the individual personalities of the gerbils.