ok he is under the floor boards and he has been out in the middle of the night for food, he has eaten the carrot and had some food, it helps assure me that he is ok, because I know he is getting good food and water, and assures me that he is there and alive. he does not repond to thumping, like tippy always did when she got under the floor boards, the only thing he will come out for is food, and he wont go far to get it, he will only go as far as running out grabing food and a drink and hiding, knowing gerbils and floor boards he wont plan on returning anytime soon. lol. and I want him to be healthy and happy, no matter where he is, I am not going to starve him, the food being eaten assures me that he is alive. plus the gebils are not in my room they are in the critter room, its huge, and has TONES of hidding places including a spot to get under the floor boards. think about it you have a large area, lots of warm hidy places and food and water, and he would be able to get all that wheather I put some down her not, he can easily get in the piggie cages for that, but I prefere he have gerbil food to rabbit pellets. he would have the essentials no matter what, that is why I put some down for him, gain his trust then turn that food into a harmless box trap.