A Split Tank or Split Cage is a specially made small habitat used to safely introduce gerbils to each other over a period of time.
Gerbils do NOT react well to meeting face-to-face with a stranger.
Whether these gerbils are complete strangers or are relatives or friends who knew each other a while back but have been apart – you will need ‘to split’ them together.
I know the verb ‘to split’ seems counterproductive when we are wanting to put them together – but it is the name used to describe the special tank set-up – basically it is split into 2 sides.
You may hear the word ‘splitting together two gerbil’ and ‘they need to be split’ – but it means: put in a split tank and bonded together to be friends.
Splitting UP gerbils or ‘they need to be split up’ and ‘split them up now!’ still means take these two gerbils apart and put into completely separate tanks.
Confusing, eh?
Hopefully the context will help explain which way around this is.
What does a Split Tank Do?
The reason you need a Split Tank to introduce two gerbils together over any other set-up is that they are designed to mix gerbil scents.
Gerbils spend a great deal of time making sure that their home is exactly how they want it and that it all smells of them and that means they own it. They will actively defend their home against any intruders.
Obviously, this isn’t very useful for making friends.
So how can you ever get two gerbils to think they both live in the same home at the same time?
Obviously you can’t have them both safely living in a giant tank filled with bedding and tunnels and shelves and houses and nests and shelves and bowls and bottles and hope that they don’t meet – so you have to take out the risk.
The answer is: You need to bring the habitat under control.
I mean – how can they both scent mark everything all the time if their home is really big – and if they can’t both be in there all the time?
So, by setting up a really small tank with hardly anything in it – you are making a really simple home – one home on each side with food and water only.
There are only a few things in each half worth scent marking and these gerbils are confined to such a small space (only half the Split Tank at any one time) that they can scent mark it in a few hours.
Perfect.
This way, you can swap the gerbils over between the sides several times a day (A to B and B to A – never meeting) and then they will have plenty of time to put their scent all over everything each time (which they will do with gusto the first few times).
By swapping them over several times a day for several weeks while all the bedding is the same and nothing new has been added – they will soon start to think that they own both sides.
They will be smelling their own scent in there of course – but also assuming that the other gerbils scent is part of their own scent as it is always there too.
Finally, they start to relax.
That way – when you take out the divide – they both think they live together on both sides and soon enough settle down to sleep as friends.
Deciding to take out the divide is the hardest part and also the longest single part of the process – you have to be ready for it in advance. It has a procedure all on its own as you want to be fully prepared and get the best results leading up to the divide removal…
Split Tanking has a more than 90% success rate. It doesn’t ALWAYS work of course as gerbils are all individuals – but if done correctly with suitable well-matched gerbils – you shouldn’t have too much trouble…
But, it couldn’t be more perfect for your needs here.
So to summarise:
Split Tank Introductions follow a prescribed set of guidelines which can help you make the best of your Gerbil Introduction.
Missing steps or rushing things usually ends in failure long term – even if it seems to work short term. Anyway, here are the main steps summarised below:
- Source your Split Tank – Create a secure divided tank or cage
- Find 2 suitable gerbils – Matching up the right gerbils makes it easier
- Keep them apart – keep them on either side of the divide at all times
- Swap their scents – by swapping them between the two sides 3 times a day
- Don’t change anything else – keep the same simple bedding only
- Keep going for days – don’t rush this – just keep swapping sides
- Watch out for good signs – be totally sure they are calm and relaxed
- Plan your Introduction well – make sure you have everything perfect
- Remove the divide – making sure you have planned for a failure
- Watch them solidly – the first half hour usually goes well – don’t be deceived…
- Take it slow – don’t introduce too many new things too fast afterwards
- Finally – two new friends in their permanent home
So now you just need to make your Split Tank…
Yeah, you heard me right – you need to make your own Split Tank, you can’t buy them in stores and they are not often seen online for sale. The main reason for this is that they are really easy to make yourself – and they need to suit your needs.
Not everyone has space or the money for fancy Split Tank set-ups – so the simplest thing to do is create a central divide yourself that fits perfectly down the middle of a small second-hand glass tank or plastic tub.
It MUST be touching all 4 internal sides perfectly – right up to the underside of the lid and be super secure. Gerbils are escape artists – and your gerbils mustn’t meet until they are bonded as they will most likely fight.
Once you Split Tank is made (and tested for security) you are ready to start.
Are you ready to start?
If you already have a suitable gerbil in mind to go with your loner – then get going straight away – the sooner the better.
However, if you have a choice over the new gerbil companion or you want to look at the options – perhaps reading an article about who goes best with who would be a great first step.