This is an excellent question.
Mixing smells can be a big problem. A friend had four
tanks of gerbils and one day cleaned them all out
using the same plastic container to hold them in (one
group at a time, but not washing the container between
housing each clan).
The first two groups did fine. In the third group
fighting broke out, but no one was seriously hurt and
it subsided after about three days.
In the fourth group violent fighting occured; sadly
one of the boys killed his two brothers. (That is how
I got "Bite-Bite" by the way, as they did not what
this "murderer" anymore).
I think plastic and wood retain gerbil smells. So I'd
restrict it's use to one clan or wash well between
uses.
I have not had any problem with gerbils using the same
floor space from differnt clans to run around in.
Though I only take out the gerbil maybe once-a-week so
they don't use it one right after the other.
Donna
ABC Gerbils
www.abcgerbils.com
--- Laura O'Brien <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I have a question about a play box to be used for
> two sets of
> gerbils. I found this box in a store room today. I
> had set it up
> for our original pair of gerbils, using a variety of
> plastic bottles,
> cans, boxes, etc. Then we got a huge rat cage for
> them, and didn't
> use the play box anymore. They are both now gone,
> and we have two
> new pairs--mother/daughter and father/son, who are
> both in cages
> equivalent to a 10 gal. aquarium. And after all
> that non-essential
> info, here's my question. Will there be problems
> with scent if I let
> them take turns in the play box without cleaning all
> the toys and
> changing the "digging box" filled with shavings?
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Laura
>
> P.S. Is there anyone from Ireland on the list yet?
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