sad newcomers

[steven]

Four days ago I got a trio of youngsters that were raised in a very clean, but very empty cage -- nothing but a food dish, water bottle and substrate, with only each other for entertainment and sleeping. I put them into a 20L with lots of boxes, tubes, shredding toilet paper, a solid wheel, and wooden houses, and literally haven't seen them since except for twice daily checks to be sure they're ok.

Tonight, I thought they had settled in enough and took them out to play in the bathtub, with a sheet for tunneling, some climbing toys, and a plastic tube play system. The poor things had no idea what to do -- I don't think they've ever played before! They're gentling down and getting used to climbing on my hands fairly well, but they don't seem to play, climb, or jump at all -- they don't even think or try to run into/under something when they're startled, they just start dashing around in a frenzy! It just made me really sad, because I've got an older pair of females (in a different cage) that were properly raised and just seem to be having a wonderful time playing no matter where they are!

I'm going to keep trying the play sessions with the newcomers at least once each day, and maybe more when I can. Otherwise, I don't know what else to do -- any suggestions? Have I possibly overwhelmed them with such a drastic change of enviornment, and should I empty their cage of all but a few things and add slowly? All they seem to do is eat and hide right now -- they haven't even shredded much to make their nest, but they've probably never had, or made, a nest before, either!

Thanks!

[AndreaS15]

What you could try doing is introducing once new toy at a time, so not to overwhelm them.
I'm sure they will come around, it just takes time.
Good luck!

[caz]

Hi Steven,

Don't worry, our girls were just the same in the early days.
I thought OMG will they ever calm down but they have in just a matter of 5 weeks ;D You got to remember that it's all sooooo new for them

We put the girls in the bath too. They were VERY skittish at first, but after about a week they were sitting washing etc, so they obviously felt more at ease. Just an idea, maybe try just one at a time in the bath, perhaps they are making eachother worse when all together Try and be as still as possible and let them come to you.

Perhaps also, you could give them a little house with some bedding already in to get them started. Our girls were purchased from a tank with nothing much in it too. And again, after a while they've started shredding and putting their own bedding in They love cuddling up together ;D

Be patient, your doing the right things LOL
Caroline

[stevens]

Thanks for the advice! I might try reducing some of the "clutter" in their cage and adding back slowly to see if I can coax them to come out and explore a little more.

Today's early play session went better for one of them -- after having to repeatedly let him sit on my hand in front of the play tubes, he finally realized he could get inside! He seems to really love them, and spent almost the entire time exploring! When the other two noticed he was in there, they also went in to check it out but were unimpressed and came right back out to just run around again. We'll try again later and just keep taking these little steps.

Also, I put a post in "colours" to try to identify the newcomers, if anyone can help!

Thanks!

[stevens]

IT'S WORKING!! I reduced the things in their tank to just the two houses they seem to use, one cardboard tube, and their wheel and they're out exploring!! The same adventurous one who tried out the play tubes earlier also gave the wheel a couple of spins! I also shredded a little toilet paper and put into their houses in addition to leaving a fresh roll for them (just a little -- not a whole one!)

Also, when I opened the top to make the changes, they came right out to see what was happening so I'm encouraged that they're starting to associate "me" with fun or something exciting. Before this, I had to search for them every time.

Whew! I'm starting to feel better about their adjustment and starting to believe that they'll become "normal" despite starting their lives in something like a jail cell.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

[doomgerbiluk]

Sounds good
Environments can be too rich. Gerbils are desert animals and space is important too.
Maybe you should keep some toys for outside cage play, especially if you get a playpen.

[AndreaS15]

Glad to hear things are working better for you and your new fuzzies!

[caz]

Seeeee! Told Ya! Just take things slowly and they'll be fab ;D LOL
Caroline

[RitzieAnn]

LOL It's ture! Acutally, I think Eric and I "ruined" the rescue girls from last spring.... there were 5 girls, and their brother (in a cage like this, with NO) extras)

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7742108637&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&rd=1
Then the 10 gallon was perfect.... and then the 10 gallon with the cage topper was alright, and then they went into the 135 gallon tank... and ever since that... they don't like to chew cardboard. My lone gerbil Sam will out do them in cardboard consumption. He'll do in 1 day, what the girls will do in a week or 2!
How old are your gerbils? They might not like a lot. I know my girls fight if they have too much in their tank!

[stevens]

I don't really know their age because they were from a community tank being used for reptile food I know they're young, though, just on their looks -- my guess would be around 10 weeks maybe?? Again, if I can manage to get some decent pictures this weekend, I'll try to post them for additional opinions!

They're doing better but continuing to be my "problem children" as far as giving me a window into their world! Our play sessions outside the tank are going well, but seem to exhaust them (about a half-hour, twice per day) and they hide/sleep otherwise, until the wee hours of the morning when I hear them running around and even playing on their wheel. They disappear at the slightest movement, though.

One good note -- I realized a few days ago that their "nesting disability" has provided me with the perfect opportunity to spy on them inside their "hut"! Their favorite house is in the corner of the tank that hangs slightly over the stand, and I can crawl under and watch their sleeping pile from underneath. I feel a bit like a "Peeping Tom" ("Peeping Steven") but kind of enjoy being able to check in without disturbing them, and some of their sleeping positions are pretty funny but seem awfully uncomfortable!! (Makes me glad I'm not sharing a house, though!)

[caz]

I'd like to see my two sleeping too! but I've gone and bought them a really comfy log cabin to sleep in and they won't come out Wish I hadn't now.

I expect you've seen my pics on member photos, but if you haven't here's one of their tank

And one of Daisy outside her house ;D

LOL
Caroline

[dawn]

Glad you are getting on better now,

My little Eugene used to get tired out realy quickly when I first got him but now (nearly had him 3 weeks) in this short space of time he is able to play more.

Myabe you could consider getting a playpen they are a brilliant purchase - Eugene certainly thinks so. This way they can have all the toys but not in one go and it'll save you changing their tank ones.

If that made any sense,