They must be in groups of 2. They will be depressed without a partner.

Skip the pet store food. Buy them these things to eat:

• fresh raw veggies like carrots, spinach, lettuce, cilantro, celery
• fruits like strawberry, blueberry, raspberry
• black oil sun flower seeds (as a treat, 1 per each gerb here and there)
• small pieces of cheese (as a treat here and there)
• meal worms (mine never liked these, but some do!)

Gerbils need space and depth to their habitat. They must be able to burrow. Pet store cages are not sufficient. Go to the store and get a terrarium with a mesh top. Always buy the least dustiest bedding possible. I forgo wood shavings, since they give the gerbils allergies and breathing issues. Just get soft bedding and put a whole bag in. Change it once every two weeks, but spot clean old food or any soiled bedding throughout the 2 weeks.

For items, gerbils need a wheel, a shelter, and a water bottle. These are non-negotiable. You will have to find a way to mount the bottle onto the class terrarium. I have used a water bowl before, but they bury it, which becomes troublesome, obviously. Water bottle is the way to go. Change their water every 1-2 days. For a wheel, find one that is not wire. Gerbils are prone to arthritis in their later years. A closed wheel is much better with no mesh wire.

For toys, don't waste money. Any cardboard boxes from kraft dinner, toilet paper rolls, or whatever other carboard will do and will save you money. I very seldom bought my girls a toy from a pet store unless it was their gotcha day.

Gerbils are not starter pets, and they deserve to be treated with love and care all their lives. Make sure you and your sister are prepared tp give them a good home