We have gerbils :)

[Theas18]

They are cute and clearly have different personalities!

Hints on taming much appreciated. Had them 48hrs. At the moment food is on the top cage level so I can tempt them up there with yummies and gently stroke them. More success with G ( the thick one , doesn't realise she's a prey animal - loud noise ... I'd better see what it is.... Sort of endearing stupidity ) than F ( rightly wary on loud noises and the large pink thing that comes from the sky but very good at gerbil duties such as cardboard shredding).

" hold hand flat with food on it" method failed - G bit me!

We now have sunflower seeds that they both love that I'm trying to teach them to work out are the best treat, but only happen on the top level when the big hand appears!

Sounds like a plan?

Got to work this out. Never had a pet since hamsters as a kid and I never got them very well tamed.

[Numanoid]

Gerbils were my first ever pets, I had 2 females. Females are usually more friendly IME!

I think you're doing everything right, it does take them time to get used to you though. Feeding them from your hand is the best way to do it. They will nip at first, but it's usually just because they're still figuring out what they can and can't eat, and getting used to you!

You can also try putting your hand in the cage when they're already out playing, and waiting for them to walk onto it. After they're used to it you can then lift them out.

Ours were great little things, eventually they'll run up and down your arm, and run about your lap, or on the bed... anywhere you can keep an eye on them and pick them up if they venture too far.

I know a few people who have picked their gerbils up by the tail as it's easier to catch them that way if you need to move them to clean out their cage/take them to the vet, etc. But it's quite dangerous to do that, I'm pretty sure it can damage their tails. If they wriggle away when you try to pick them up with your fingers under their belly and round their back, you can coax them into a tube and lift them out that way.

I was thinking about getting a gerbil a few months ago, but we have enough animals at the moment and I don't think I would be able to play with it enough. :(