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Post by lucygerbilhoward on May 2, 2011 8:29:49 GMT -8
Hi, I have had my 2 gerbils for quite along time now and they seem happy and healthy. Recently though at night (and only at night) i hear them tapping their feet on the the floor. In the day they do not do this at all. Is this normal or is there something i can do about it? Thankyou.  |
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racammann
Member
I currently have 2 female gerbils - Suki and Zip. Littermates born end of Jan 2011.
Posts: 556
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Post by racammann on May 2, 2011 8:42:09 GMT -8
Like rabbits and some other rodents - gerbils use the foot-thumping as a means of warning other members of the colony of potential danger. So they often do it when they're scared - often whilst running for cover and then continuing for a minute or so whilst in their hiding place.
You may also see/hear gerbils do it if they're not entirely comfortable with a situation, like before a fight or if they're being bullied or there's tension within the group - like a shift in dominance. It's sort of a way of saying they're either scared or not entirely happy about something.
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Post by bunnyhugger on May 2, 2011 9:55:38 GMT -8
You can probably help by watching them when they start tapping their foot. Is there something wrong with them?
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Post by lucygerbilhoward on May 4, 2011 14:09:12 GMT -8
I have done this and they seem ok. My two are brothers and are quite young , they get along fine and don't normally make any contact with each other purposely unless they are sniffing one another if one has been out for a play.
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Post by esztershine on May 5, 2011 0:04:29 GMT -8
Probably just spooked out by you moving in bed. Mine spook out when they are not hearing me approaching and jump to all corners and tap their feet. This is a way between them to say 'be prepared! Danger nearby!' That is all natural with them |
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Post by cheekygerbils on May 5, 2011 8:20:13 GMT -8
My male gerbil also taps his feet really fast when I give him his favourite treats, I think with him it's just extreme excitement...he loves his grub!
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Post by lucygerbilhoward on May 5, 2011 8:50:19 GMT -8
thankyou everyone. |
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