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Post by GerbilUK on Oct 22, 2014 13:54:16 GMT -8
I have a black gerbil who is not a year old yet. I've noticed that he is getting more and more white hairs around his face, not in the typical black gerbil pattern he had when younger. He actually looks grizzled, like an elderly human would.
I know for a fact that he is inbred and I have had to separate him from his partner after they nearly killed themselves fighting. Since then his behaviour has been very aggressive towards other gerbils and he gets very agitated if I let him out and tries to bite me. He is generally frantic and hyper and dashes about doing his gerbilly things but without purpose and with a wild look in his eyes. He is also getting thin.
I am wondering if its a genetic problem? The going grey thing seems rather odd, but none of my gerbils are much older than him so maybe that's something that happens to gerbils? Or maybe it's more noticeable because he's black.
Any advice/insight would be great.
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Post by qtoffer on Oct 22, 2014 20:22:12 GMT -8
Over the years, all of my black gerbils developed white patches on the shoulder or face as they got older. They also developed some faint brown patches on the neck. I think it's normal.
One year isn't considered elderly for a gerbil - it's more young adult or middle-aged adult. Gerbils generally live 2 - 3 years, averaging closer to three. Some gerbils even live to four.
About your gerbil's apparent weight... The only way to tell for sure is to weigh him frequently. Depending on the temperature, gerbils will puff out or slick back their fur - making themselves look either obese or emaciated. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
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Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Oct 23, 2014 11:52:01 GMT -8
They can lose depth of color, oranges becoming yellows, black becoming sepia. Many gerbils will get white hairs on their jaw/throat, or scattered throughout the coat. check his teeth, weight loss is often associated with broken or damaged teeth. Teeth should be orange and should be the same length. There are two top teeth, and two bottom teeth. The top teeth are more likely to be damaged then the bottoms. bad teeth good teeth
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Post by GerbilUK on Oct 28, 2014 3:45:26 GMT -8
Hi and thanks Moonstone. I have checked his teeth a couple of times and they are ok. He is moulting quite obviously now so maybe that's why he was looking 'odd' if you see what I mean. I will keep an eye on him - I am worried that he is lonely by himself and getting depressed so I am hyper vigilant with him. He seems to like being picked up but if I simply put my hand in with him he will bite (properly, not nibbling). So I wear gloves to handle him now. He is in a 2.5 foot tank by himself and I put as much cardboard in as I can fit, scatter feed etc.
I often think about getting him a pup but he fought with his last tank mate and has been terribly aggressive towards any other gerbil since. He might be ok with a pup for a while but I worry about what would happen when the pup got older. I don't trust him with other gerbils basically.
Thanks for your advice. I will see about his weight when he's finished moulting and might start weighing him.
Wokette
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