All rodents teeth grow throughout their entire lives. Hard plastic, such as in tunnels and certain cages, may break off in shards that will damage your gerbils stomach and possibly kill it. These types of cages and tunnels are designed for hamsters. Safety aside, gerbils can chew through hard plastic cages and escape. These are virtually escape-proof provided that you keep the lid on tight.
Gerbils can jump out of ten-gallon tanks quite easily.
Once you have chosen a cage, you should fill it with wood shavings. Do not use newspaper or sawdust because these items can make the gerbils sick. Cedar shavings have the most pleasing smell, but some animals are allergic to them. If you find that cedar shavings do not work, then pine shavings will be fine. Food Being desert animals, gerbils do not drink much water.