They generally do not bite unless in pain or very frightened, and will eagerly explore human fingers. At first, your gerbil will probably seem nervous about being picked up. To lessen his anxiety, do not make sudden movements, and scoop him up from underneath rather than grabbing him by his tail. Also, offer treats as incentives to interacting with people. In time, your gerbil will learn to trust you, and may even voluntarily hop onto your outstretched palm in order to come out to visit you.
Most gerbils sleep and wake in short cycles throughout the day and night.
When they are awake, they tend to be very active. Their normal activities include chewing, burrowing, scratching, grooming, and exploring new toys and surroundings. This activity may appear as though they are banging their heads against their enclosure, but it is a normal behavior and should not cause concern. Gerbils are very social creatures, and have several methods of communication that humans can observe. The most obvious of these is the thumping of their hind feet.