Post by CrazyGerbils11 on Mar 12, 2015 4:46:56 GMT -8
So I have a trio of boys in my 20 gallon tank. They have gotten along well since I've had them (though it has not been long) minus the usual play fighting and boxing, but I recently noticed a shift in one of my boys behavior. He used to be rather mild mannered, would come out when I entered the room, take seeds from my hand but was most content cuddled up in his nest. In the past three days I have noticed he darts from one end of the cage to the other constantly, gets spooked when I so much as move to grab my drink, and has been digging furiously at the inside of his wooden hut, despite the fact there is plenty of substrate for him to burrow and dig with the toilet roll I have provided. The most concerning thing is he is harassing the other two. He just causes overall unrest in the cage. They will be minding their own business and he will dart from the nest and charge for them. It does not last long and its a lot of face and butt pushing with his face, but I am worried he is trying to hurt them. It happens a lot when they are at the water bottle, he will just go right for the butt and chase them away or if just one is in the nest he will chase them out. (The one in the nest will squeak at him before they get chased out) He has always had a thing for one of his brothers(all from same litter) but he now goes after the neutral boy as well, who does not even want to go into the nest, which he spends most of his time (he has always been the most shy of the bunch) The two bullied ones are curled up together on the other side of the cage and have burrowed in the bedding to build their own nest, while the lone one is in the nest and sometimes will come over as well, but quickly will dart away. I know the signs to look out for for declining and I am growing concerned. There has been no ball fighting or blood drawn but if he becomes more and more territorial I am not sure what I can do. Any suggestions or should I quit worrying? Is this normal behavior for gerbils to be having as they mature, they are 3 months old now. And if I should be concerned what steps should I take? I just hate to think I am basically waiting for something bad to really happen, Id rather take preventive steps.
Thanks all I appreciate it.
Thanks all I appreciate it.