Enclosure Type
glass tank
Floor Space
4.5 sq ft
Dimensions
36"L × 18"W × 16"H
Gerbil Minimum
2.5 sq ft
Verdict
Ideal Choice ✅
💰 Typical Price: $60–$150
Our Verdict
A 40 gallon breeder tank is an excellent choice for a pair or trio of gerbils, providing ample space for complex tunnel networks.
At 648 sq in, the 40 gallon breeder provides well above the minimum for a pair and meets the guideline for a trio. Fill 6-8 inches deep with a peat/sand/hay mix to enable complex burrowing networks. A mesh lid is essential.
Pros & Cons of the 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
✅ Pros
- Excellent floor space for hamsters
- Deeper than standard tanks — supports 6"+ substrate
- Escape-proof
- "Breeder" proportions maximise floor area vs height
❌ Cons
- Heavy (~55 lbs empty)
- Requires a secure mesh lid
- Limited vertical enrichment options
What Gerbils Need in an Enclosure
Gerbils need both burrowing depth and vertical climbing space. A "gerbilarium" — a deep-substrate tank base topped with a wire section — is the gold standard. Pure wire cages are unsuitable as gerbils will chew through plastic fittings and escape. Always house at least two.
⚠️ Things to Avoid for Gerbils
- Housing a single gerbil alone — causes severe stress and early death
- All-plastic enclosures — gerbils chew through everything
- Wire cages without a deep substrate base
- Enclosures under 20 gallons for a pair
- Hamster-marketed cages — nearly all are too small
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How many gerbils can live in a 40 gallon tank?
A 40 gallon breeder comfortably houses 2-3 gerbils using the 10-gallons-per-gerbil guideline. It provides excellent space for a tunnelling network and enrichment.
Other Enclosures for Gerbils
- 10 Gallon Glass Tank
- 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 75 Gallon Glass Tank
- DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- Single Critter Nation
- Double Critter Nation
- IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- C&C Grid Cage (2×4 Grids)
- C&C Grid Cage (2×5 Grids)
- Wire Dog Crate (Medium — 36")
- Wire Dog Crate (Large — 42")
- Heavy-Duty Escape-Proof Dog Crate
- Cat Tree / Condo (72"+ height)
- Indoor X-Pen / Exercise Pen
- PVC Reptile Enclosure (4'×2'×2')
Can Other Pets Live in a 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank?
- 🐹 Hamster in 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 🐿️ Chinchilla in 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 🐾 Guinea Pig in 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 🐇 Rabbit in 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 🐀 Rat in 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 🐱 Cat in 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 🐶 Dog in 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 🦎 Bearded Dragon in 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank