* Different needs: Mice and gerbils have different requirements for temperature, humidity, and cage enrichment.
* Aggression: While some mice and gerbils might get along, there's a significant risk of aggression, especially if they're different genders or if the gerbil is feeling threatened.
* Disease transmission: Mice and gerbils can carry different diseases that could be transmitted to each other.
* Stress: Sharing a cage can cause stress for both animals, leading to health problems.
Instead of housing them together, it's much better to provide separate cages for both species. This allows them to have their individual space, meet their specific needs, and live stress-free lives.
If you're considering getting both mice and gerbils, ensure you provide appropriate and separate enclosures for each species.