>OK, now here's one of my probably many
>novice questions: if I were to build something for the little ones to
>play with out of cardboard, could I use tape to hold different pieces
>together or is glue better? It might sound like a dumb question, but I
>don't want to put anything in there that could be harmful to them. I can
>just imagine them eating tape and ending up with some weird intestinal
>blockage. Am I being overly cautious?
You don't have to 'build' anything. A toilet tissue roll with the
last few sheets stuck to it (best to use unscented undyed tissue)
yet makes a great gerbil toy. They can shred the tissue off it
and tote their 'booty' off to build a nest with, and the more
accomplished ones can destroy the cardboard tube in about
ten minutes....or take their time and snooze in and jump on
and otherwise have fun with the tube.
A small cardboard box (no plastic coating or see through
plastic windows) is also something they will enjoy and eventually
demolish. I tend to stick to ones the size of the cardboard
'go home' containers the petstore uses, or ones that feed
hoppers come in, or that size.
Save the creative efforts, as tape usually has a plastic (cellophane)
backing and will cause problems (such as fatal intestinal blockages)
if ingested.
Keep it simple and they'll like it just fine.
You should also give them a small chunk of wood, clean and not
a hardwood; for them to chew on. A piece of pine or apple about
the thickness of your thumb or a little thicker, and about the length
of your palm; or a small piece of 2x4 (framing stud) that's clean
and not full of splinters does fine. They will work all the corners off
it....and it will help keep those teeth trimmed.
If you really feel the need to be creative; and are keeping them in
an aquarium, you can always make a backdrop to put on the OUTSIDE
of the tank to decorate it.
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
