I don't see why scenting with gerbil wouldn't work, works well with other species of snake. But I've never had a problem getting them to eat either mice or rats. My only 'problem feeders' are the ones that will only take mice. Granted I've got some that will miss more then the occasional feeding, but I find it easier to wait them out rather then switch around to different rodents. I'm really not in THAT big of a hurry.