Recently, I have noticed that we try so hard to replicate natural habitats when caring for reptiles and amphibians, we buy fake plants, rocks, wood to climb on, heaters, and crickets in order tk make their habitat similar to nature. But, for hamsters and gerbils, it's the opposite. Hamsters and gerbils do not have wheels, water bottles, blocks of wood, and plastic tubes in nature, but that is what we give them. They are also nowhere near as domesticated as dogs and cats, and are a lot more like wild gerbils.
I'm pretty sure you are wondering what a natural hamster and gerbil habitat is like. Here is a general idea of what it woild probably be like.
1. Sand or dirt to burrow in
2. Dry plant leaves and bark to chew on
3. Seeds and nuts to search for
Let me explain the importanceof theese things. Gerbils and hamsters have a lot of energy for a reason. They need to remain occupied, to use that energy. Running around in a large area to find things to chew on and add to their burrow of eat uses that energy (just make sure thegerbil can actually find those things). So does digging a burrow.
Instead, rodents will have so much energy in the average cage that they have no reason to use, that they will just dig randomly, thump their feet on the ground, run in a wheel, and chew on everything they can find.
Think about this now, how can you make your pet's habitat more natural to fulfill your pet's needs, instincts, and desires?
Theese are mostly idea and experience based, not everything I wrote is a proven fact. Some are just fact based ideas. I am not an expert.
