Gerbil no1: the rescue centre and the vet said she was male so we went and got a male companion. When they were tame I had a look myself, no1 was a female. no2 got himself neutered!!!!

ever since then, after having one of each I have been able to sex them, it's easy when you have one of each to compare. I'm good at it now and can 9/10 sex an adult without even picking it up!!

If you could get a picture of your gerbils bits I could tell you what it is, if it is 4 months it should be fairly easy.

To sex them hold them on your hand and lift the tail, holding it at the base. At no time must the gerbils weight be lifted by its tail.

As for fruit and veg I feed all mine - hamsters and gerbils one piece of fruit/veg a day. The gerbils differ in what they like but this last week they have had grapes, baby corn, strawberries, melon, broccoli, tofu, pear...

As a guide I give half a grape per animal.

Gerbils don't drink much, if your gerbil had a bottle in the shop he should know how to use it - check it is working.