StoryBooks Pocket Pets
Appreciation, Understanding and Education of Small Animals
When you begin to split cage a gerbil you have to first keep in mind what sex your gerbil already is. Are you breeding your gerbil or introducing another same sex gerbil? Be aware that some gerbils simply will not accept a stranger, and if you already have a bonded pair (even a same-sex pair) it is not recommended to place another gerbil in with them. Even if you break up the pair you may not get them to accept another gerbil. Male gerbils are very easy to pair up especially to a young pup right from mom. Females can be a little bit more territorial. They take to males easier then another female. Females do better when paired up at a young age of 6 weeks right off mom up to four months which isn't that far from 6 weeks. Females are also know to de-clan before males will. When females begin their season they often will split with a female clan. Males usually only de-clan when they smell a female in season. But kept as pets males live out their life time longer then females will in a clan. It's always a good idea to have an extra tank in case the females should split. Where you can have a Trio of males, a Trio of females in my opinion is not wise. Females in odd numbers tend to pair up, and often one is left out and picked on. Even number female clans are best and if they do split you will have the extra tank and one will not be alone.
For a ten gallon tank, a split down the middle made of 1/4 inch bunny floor mess wire works great. You can find mess like this at a grain store or hardware store. The holes are small enough that tails and feet will not go through to be bitter by the other gerbil. You will either have to wear gloves, and get some pliers to bend the wire to fit the tanks width. Or cut and tape securely to the tank so it doesn't move with electrical tape. You want to make sure the edges are not sharp so the gerbil doesn't cut itself. A lip at the top so at least one can't crawl over the top "Usually" for the aggressors "older" side. Make sure the split goes all the way to the top and all the way to the floor beneath the litter. A gerbil can dig and push though so be sure the split is secure. If you can find one of those lids found in the reptile section, the kind that is metal but opens to each side of the tank, those are the best for splitting. There is a lip that hangs in the middle where the hinges are so the split rests nice against it and no gerbil can climb to the other side. They can be a little pricey though, around $15.00 for a ten gallon, but it's worth it. 
