Introductions - what can I do?

[beckyboo]

Hi All

I'm new to the forum. I got 2 female gerbils from a pet store a few months ago and one of them died for no apparent reason recently. Now I have a single (Turbo) and she has started nipping (lonliness?). The pet store people told me you can't introduce new gerbils, is this true? Or, is there some way I can introduce a new friend to Turbo?

Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks

[whitmoregirl]

I moved this topic to behaviour and introducing gerbils

You *can* intro a new gerbil to Turbo, but it will be difficult if she's a little older.
This would involve the split cage and possibly weeks of work

She may be biting out of lonliness, or possibly boredom - be sure to take her out and play with her lots and given her cardboard and wooden toys to distract her and hopefully it should stop.

[doomgerbiluk]

You can introduce new gerbils yes, but you must use the split cage method.
Not the bad news, females can be very difficult (sometimes impossible) to introduce new gerbils too. Because in the wild only the dominant female breeds and therefore your female will resent any other female, such intors may take months and still not be successful. BUT your female doesn't sound too old.
I suggest you searc the forum (or maybe someone with more time than me will), search the website links and read up on the subject before making a decision.
You will find more useful information on Eds board
gerbilsuk.proboards15.com/
also try www.gerbilshowsuk.org and www.gerbils.co.uk for more information.

[beckyboo]

Thanks for the advice!

I did the split cage introduction and took out the divider today, it looks like a success. They're running in the wheel together now