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Post by Charliebob on Dec 6, 2014 12:19:17 GMT -8
So I've done allll my research and today finally got my gerbils all set up in their gerbilarium!
However, I'm just concerned over some behaviour.. I read that they playfight and they seem to do this little sort of scrapping thing every so often - but they do it for literally like a second and stop, and they've only done it like a few times since I put them in their new home.
They're still babies - but I believe have reached sexual maturity now they are thumping... We bred them in the Pet shop I work at and they've been getting regularly handled since birth so aren't skittish at all when it comes to handling.
Anyway - this evening I've been sat at my computer and just watching and admiring them.. And one of the gerbils seems to keep going to the same spot - and sitting very still without even moving - she climbs upthe side of the cage, and sits like - hanging there for ages... and ages...
Is this normal? When I go over she runs away - so she's not stuck, but just keeps hanging on the bars. @_@
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Post by eleda on Dec 7, 2014 10:47:30 GMT -8
I can't speak to the hanging behavior, really. Maybe she finds it comfortable??? I know cats and dogs find all sorts of things comfy that look painful to me. The boxing behavior sounds normal. my guys only do it for a second or two and then go about their business
grats on your new babies!
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Post by Charliebob on Dec 8, 2014 10:05:09 GMT -8
I'm just worried now that they will never be happy about me handling them. They never sit comfortably and still in my hand and always skittishly try to escape  x |
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Post by eleda on Dec 8, 2014 20:59:39 GMT -8
that's normal, charlie. it takes time for them to get used to the idea. try letting them stand on your hand with it semi close to the bedding at first. and give them a treat whenever they climb on. they have to learn gradually that they're safe in your hands. the instincts that tell them being held is dangerous are really strong (because their main predator is birds of prey) but many people have super tame gerbils that started out like yours. try exploring the site for taming threads. there is a lot of information on here about how to do it. (though the main thing is lots and lots of treats!)
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Post by Charliebob on Dec 10, 2014 5:59:22 GMT -8
Yeah - I suppose it's just patience.
Another thing, I'm just so worried I know they know where their water bottle is but they keep licking the glass from time to time, and it has me panicking that they're thirsty, even though I know they're drinking you know?
Also they're kicking all their bedding up to one side of their tank rather than just burrowing haha.
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Post by crittercrazy on Dec 10, 2014 7:52:08 GMT -8
Are you sure the water bottle is working? If it is and they are still licking the glass, I wouldn't worry about it too much. My younger gerbils do that. Haha well get used to that- my gerbils kick their bedding everywhere but don't really burrow. Crazy critters.  |
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Post by Charliebob on Dec 27, 2014 8:11:33 GMT -8
I think they finally figured it out haha. I'm on vacation at the moment, so they're being taken care of and on their own holiday! Ive gone coo coo and bought them another, bigger, tank! Haha, I love them and want to spoil them  any tips on potty training? They kind of just go... everywhere right now.. I checked some videos to see how - and they say "find where they go in the tank and put the jar there" but they have no 'set' toilet... D: haaalp! |
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Dec 27, 2014 9:14:58 GMT -8
I just put a dish of sand in my gerbil cage and they took it upon themselves to go to the toilet in it. Mind you, ever since going into a different cage they've pooed everywhere lol. Its worth trying to put sand in their tho |
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Post by Charliebob on Dec 27, 2014 11:52:42 GMT -8
I just put a dish of sand in my gerbil cage and they took it upon themselves to go to the toilet in it. Mind you, ever since going into a different cage they've pooed everywhere lol. Its worth trying to put sand in their tho Ooof, may have to juggle around a bit then :(theircage is a little small for sand, theres very little room, I usually take themmout for their sand bath in their playpen. If I put it ontop of their bedding, theyll dig under it nd itll fall over, haha. |
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Dec 27, 2014 12:39:43 GMT -8
Ohhh okayy. hmmm with the jar idea, you could place a jar any where in the tank and they may decide to go in there, even though it may not necessarily be where they go without the jar?? |
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Post by Charliebob on Dec 29, 2014 6:39:18 GMT -8
Ohhh okayy. hmmm with the jar idea, you could place a jar any where in the tank and they may decide to go in there, even though it may not necessarily be where they go without the jar?? Will deffo try this! Thank you! |
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Post by blanknote on Dec 29, 2014 8:24:27 GMT -8
I have a gerbilarium, so from the beginning I've put cardboard on the topper to cover the wire, and they have always uses the cardboard as their toilet area. They were in a tank during Christmas holidays, and I placed a flat piece cardboard there too (mainly to try to make sure the bedding won't get wet, even if the water bottle leaks), and it seemed that they used that mainly as the toilet area too. Cardboard can be tricky in a tank, though, so maybe you could try to find a ceramic tile piece to put in there? At least they wouldn't be able to move it as easily as cardboard (although they'll probably kick some bedding on it).
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Leaf whisper age 12
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Post by Leaf whisper age 12 on Jan 16, 2015 18:05:44 GMT -8
that's normal, charlie. it takes time for them to get used to the idea. try letting them stand on your hand with it semi close to the bedding at first. and give them a treat whenever they climb on. they have to learn gradually that they're safe in your hands. the instincts that tell them being held is dangerous are really strong (because their main predator is birds of prey) but many people have super tame gerbils that started out like yours. try exploring the site for taming threads. there is a lot of information on here about how to do it. (though the main thing is lots and lots of treats!) [br Also using a playpen or bathtub and let them climb on you gains trust between you. Charliebob are you 12? |
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any tips on potty training? They kind of just go... everywhere right now.. I checked some videos to see how - and they say "find where they go in the tank and put the jar there" but they have no 'set' toilet... D: haaalp!
