Using eight gerbils, run a test increasing their caloric intake and determine if they begin exercising when their intake is higher. Make sure that all gerbils are the same gender and have their own cage, complete with an exercise wheel. Feed each gerbil the same amount of food and water. After one week of observation, increase the calories by adding a solution of water mixed with 10 percent Karo syrup. Observe gerbils for three weeks and record any increase or decrease in their exercise habits.
Gerbils are said to be able to see in colors, although it is not the same as human vision. Test their reaction to colors by testing them when it is feeding time. Using four different gerbils, place their food in different colored bowls. Record their response when fed from small bowls that are red, blue, green and black. Make sure the gerbils are separated when it is time for feeding and use the same color bowl for all gerbils at any given time. Record the findings.
Test the gerbils' deduction ability by creating a maze. Build the maze so that the walls can be interchanged, thus the students can mix up the route for the gerbil when running time tests. Consider using a male and a female gerbil so a conclusion can be drawn as to which one moves the fastest through the maze. Another option is testing which gender adjusts better when the path of the maze is changed for a second run. Note the times of the gerbils' run and create a chart indicating which gerbil adapted better to the changes.
Gerbils take short naps in a 24-hour period instead of being nocturnal or diurnal. Run a test in which sleep is inhibited over the course of two days by changing the environment the gerbils live in. One the first day, watch the gerbil and record his sleeping patterns, noting the times when he naps. On the second day, keep the room lit for 24 hours, recording on a video camera, if needed. On the third day, keep the room pitch black and use a night setting on a video camera for observation. Compare the results.