I think my fear of gerbils started in second grade when we had them as class pets, all day long it was nothing but "squeeeeeek squeeeeek squeeeeeek" from their wheel. Then the weekend came when it was my turn to take Natty and Scooter home and care for them... oh boy was that scary, I spent all weekend trying to get them to come out of my parent's closet! I don't know how they kept escaping! Now rats on the other hand, those made great pets. I've kept 32 total as pets (14 at one time... my sister brougt home a pregnant one) and they were the greatest. I had one that would escape and come sleep in my bed, cat finally got her when she tried to sleep with Mom and Dad though Maybe my school gerbils were just psycho? lol