Post by angel1203 on Mar 25, 2015 14:47:06 GMT -8
Hi,
I decided to get two gerbils about six months ago. Two weeks ago, one of them died. Even more horrific, he was chewed to pieces by the other. I was devastated. I did a lot of research before I bought them and that never appeared anywhere online. I thought that he had killed him. Until I read online that if one does die, it is normal for the other one to do that so as not to attract predators. I did not want the remaining gerbil to be lonely so I bought two baby boys. This scenario is supposed to be the most easily accepted option. I split the aquarium with a tank divider. I switched their sides each night. I tried introducing them a few days later in a playpen under my supervision. It seemed to go ok. The babies were chasing the older one and the older one was thumping but no fighting. The next day I did the same thing and I had to split them up twice, the last time i got bit really bad but the gerbils were unharmed. It's about a week later and I take them out separately to play. They are sleeping next to each other on the divider but in igloos. Should I take the igloos out? I read that their fur should be touching. Also when I take the older one out or switch his side in the tank he marks his territory. Do I need to wait until that stops before I can introduce them again? I do not want to wake up to dead gerbils. I only work weekends so I am able to keep a close eye on them during the week. Any input would be greatly appreciated! I want to get them together but if they can never be together, I need to get separate cages. Thanks!
I decided to get two gerbils about six months ago. Two weeks ago, one of them died. Even more horrific, he was chewed to pieces by the other. I was devastated. I did a lot of research before I bought them and that never appeared anywhere online. I thought that he had killed him. Until I read online that if one does die, it is normal for the other one to do that so as not to attract predators. I did not want the remaining gerbil to be lonely so I bought two baby boys. This scenario is supposed to be the most easily accepted option. I split the aquarium with a tank divider. I switched their sides each night. I tried introducing them a few days later in a playpen under my supervision. It seemed to go ok. The babies were chasing the older one and the older one was thumping but no fighting. The next day I did the same thing and I had to split them up twice, the last time i got bit really bad but the gerbils were unharmed. It's about a week later and I take them out separately to play. They are sleeping next to each other on the divider but in igloos. Should I take the igloos out? I read that their fur should be touching. Also when I take the older one out or switch his side in the tank he marks his territory. Do I need to wait until that stops before I can introduce them again? I do not want to wake up to dead gerbils. I only work weekends so I am able to keep a close eye on them during the week. Any input would be greatly appreciated! I want to get them together but if they can never be together, I need to get separate cages. Thanks!
