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Post by thegerbilfamily on Aug 9, 2015 4:29:34 GMT -8
I have 2 male gerbil, one is 4 years the other is 9 or 10 months. They were introduced using the split cage method which i have done before with no problems. They have been together for 7 or 6 months with no signs of aggression. Just today i noticed the older gerbil is pushing the younger one into there house or bendy bridge toy and no letting him out, the younger one started squeaking. I put in fresh food for them today and the older one didn't seem to want the younger one to get any and wrestled him into the house with him squeaking. No blood has been drawn and nothing too violent, but I have took the older one out. Is this aggressive behavior? What should I do  ? |
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Post by fluffy501 on Aug 17, 2015 14:07:41 GMT -8
One of my gerbils is kind of like that with the other, it pushes its head down and things i think its showing that it's the leader Did anything change just before you first noticed this? Maybe like a change of environment or something? You should keep an eye on how often it happens and maybe if you can reach them easily you could try to actually pick the older one up and move it elsewhere in the cage when it's being too rough and maybe it'll learn (idk), this is what I do sometimes |
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Post by blanknote on Aug 18, 2015 3:43:51 GMT -8
I would keep an eye on the situation. However, like fluffy501 said, it might be just your older gerbil showing that he is the dominant one.
When I put food in a bowl for my boys, if the dominant one (Richard) goes to it first, he will try to go in front of the submissive one (Ginger) so that they aren't able to get any. And Ginger often squeaks as well, whether they are in a hidey house together, or if Richard wants to go into a smaller hide when Ginger is already there.
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Post by thegerbilfamily on Aug 23, 2015 0:49:22 GMT -8
I didn't change their environment other than taking a broken toy out. Well I kept an eye on them but I eventually separated them. The young one is terrified of the old one and there was a fight which I split up. The older gerbil seems to be a lot more aggressive lately, he used to be my most placid gerbil but now he sometimes bites and doesn't like to be petted or picked up anymore
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Post by blanknote on Aug 23, 2015 1:26:08 GMT -8
Is it possible that he might be ill? I'm not 100% sure, but I think I have read that gerbil's behaviour can change if it isn't feeling good.
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Post by betty on Aug 23, 2015 2:48:36 GMT -8
Yes, if he was always the dominant one, there would be no normal 'gerbil' reason why he would now want the younger one gone?
There may be some reasons I don't know about, but most likely is if he now feels threatened by the younger one through illness of injury, then that could have triggered the fighting.
Have you checked his teeth? Has he lost weight? Has the younger one gained weight?
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Post by thegerbilfamily on Aug 23, 2015 5:37:29 GMT -8
The younger one is lighter than him but he has put on weight as he is just about reaching his adult size. I have just weighed the older one he is the same weight he was when they were friends. His teeth look fine and the he has no lumps or bumps anywhere.
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Post by betty on Aug 23, 2015 9:42:11 GMT -8
Hmm - not too sure then. However, if you have already split them up, this is probably for the best - just incase something suddenly happened when you weren't there to check them.
There is the option to house them in a permanent split (if they don't get too grumpy) and so the older one still at least has a bit of company in his old age - but if he detests the younger one this might not be too nice for him long-term (imagine living next to someone you hated or were 'scared' of?)
Hmm? Difficult choice for you there - but as it is you who lives with them and sees them all the time - I suppose what you do now they are apart is up to you?
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Post by jumpyspeedyrule on Aug 24, 2015 12:47:04 GMT -8
If the problem only occurs when feeding you can try giving them food in 2 different places.
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Post by jackturbo on Aug 31, 2015 5:22:08 GMT -8
Quite new to gerbils so take what I say with the appropriate pinch of salt. But I have been reading an awful lot on gerbils psychology and social behaviour in the last few weeks.
The 4 year old is getting on quite a bit in age, it could be that he feels his place as the dominant gerbil is at risk due to this and is therefore displaying his dominance overtly to avoid the younger gerbil challenging it.
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