The burrowing is magical to watch

I set up a large bin cage with 30cm of substrate for my gerbils and watching them excavate it has been one of the best things about keeping small pets. They have an intricate tunnel system and rearrange everything constantly. When I add fresh substrate they spend hours digging and reorganising. Gerbils need proper burrowing opportunities to be happy — a bare-floored cage is cruel and dull for them.