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Post by antigone on Jul 30, 2014 4:57:36 GMT -8
It's been a month now since I rescued a poor lost gerbil. At first I thought I saw a little mouse running around a pile of garbage bags as I was walking down the street. But as my friends and I got closer we realized it was a gerbil. After spending about 30 minutes trying (with no luck) to find out who owned it while keeping an eye on it, we decided to take it home. Since then, we went back several times to that street but we saw no poster or note about a missing gerbil... So we now own a rescued gerbil who happily buries or chews up any piece of cardboard that makes it into its cage. We take it out to play almost every day into an area full of tubes and boxes. I don't know how it lived before, but it think it's enjoying its time in our place. But I read over and over that gerbils shouldn't be kept alone. There is almost always someone at home so it has human company. But I wonder whether I should get it a gerbil friend or if it would be better on its own given the circumstances? Like I said, all I know is that it is adult and it seems happy for the moment. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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Post by reesesturtles on Aug 1, 2014 16:51:23 GMT -8
My answer to this question, based on my own experiences, is that it depends 1) on the age and personality of the gerbil and 2) and the circumstances surrounding the lonership situation. Currenly, I have 4 gerbils being kept "alone". Two of them have significant aggression/dominance issues who violently declanned from other littermates (more than once). One is completely on his own, is 3.5 years old, and has been happy as a clam every since his separation from his brother Pipkin. The other aggressive gerbil (Abbot)actually shares a combined split tank+topper set up with Pipkin. Pipkin thoroughly enjoys company, but getting pummeled into a bloody pulp by his brother traumatized him to the point that he would freak and start having seizures during introductions (even after a lengthy split process). However both Pipkin and Abbot thrive with company, hence the split habitat. They both have company and are happy, but without any risk of fighting. My fourth loner is Mi'Lady, a female gerbil. I got her as a juvenile and paired her up with an adult rescue female. The split cage process was successful and the two formed a very strong bond. However, the rescue died a month ago (possibly old age related), leaving Mi'Lady alone. I moved Mi'Lady's tank+topper habitat next to Pipkins and the two really enjoy each other's company through their topper wiring. As a result, no depressed gerbils. They are happy, healthy, and long-lived. So honestly you have a lot of options. From what is sounds like, your gerbil is doing fine on it's own and gets plenty of attention. No real reason I see to change that unless you like the idea of buddying her up. If you want her to have buddy, you can find another single to rescue and split them...either as a permanent split or to eventually bond them together. This really isn't a hard set rule, to be honest. You have to figure out what is best for the gerbil and your situation. Some gerbils cope really well with being alone with no effect on health or quality of life, and for others its' the opposite. Now, if adopting young gerbils from a pet store or breeder, I would definitely not just take one. I would make sure to adopt at least 2 same-sex littermates. But in a rescue case you get what you get and then you have to decide what is best from there. I think your gerbil will be just fine regardless. There is more than one "right way" to do things
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