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Post by grymonpre10 on Mar 15, 2006 11:02:04 GMT -8
Hi, I have 3 male gerbils in a big tank, they we're digging in corners so I gave them a shelter with and burrows. They almost stopped with digging in corners, but now they are always sleeping in the shelter and if you are lucky you can see them for 3 minutes. That's not what i had in mind when I bought gerbils  Is it normal behavior or is it typical for males(should i bought 3 females for more action) or is it better to take the shelter away?  I hope some people know the answer |
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Post by dawn on Mar 15, 2006 11:40:56 GMT -8
I don't have that much experience with gerbies - but mine also sleeps all day! He hardly ever comes out during day but is usualy awake about now (as he is as I type) - how old are your gerbies?
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Post by grymonpre10 on Mar 15, 2006 13:00:20 GMT -8
2 month, I think.
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caz
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Posts: 6,237
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Post by caz on Mar 15, 2006 13:55:06 GMT -8
Mine tend to sleep most of the day as well! ;D They tend to be most active around 8-9am and from 6pm onwards. They will often get up around lunchtime for a snack and a wee etc. but will go straight back to bed though  Mind you, I tend to wake mine up if I want to play with them! ;D Caroline |
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Post by dawn on Mar 17, 2006 11:54:36 GMT -8
Sounds probably bout same age as Eugene (mine). I wouldn't worry bout them sleeping alot - and yeah I wake Eugene up to play too! |
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Post by emma890 on Mar 18, 2006 14:46:52 GMT -8
My gerbils sleep all day as well! And i also wake them up to play, i usually give them a treat first then their more friendly. But they make so much noise, it becomes really fustrating sometimes. To stop them from burrowing i give them cardbord boxes every over day, it keeps them occupied  . |
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Post by roo on Mar 20, 2006 4:23:18 GMT -8
When I kept my gerbils in my bedroom, they used to drive me mad with their incessant scritchings and scratchings at night. I also wanted to see them up and about more during the day. So I started putting interesting things in their cage during the day, and playing with them, and stuff like that. They'd also get fed first thing in the morning.
I was hoping that by giving them more to do during the day they'd be ready to sleep at night... they're much better now! They gradually seemed to fall in to a rhythm with me, and obviously they still get up a few times while I'm asleep, but it's much more the 'short bursts of activity followed by power naps' that my gerbil books describe!
I think just making sure they have a steady stream of fun things to do means they'll get in to being up during the day more. Mine seem very happy, they're always up for an hour or so of digging/gnawing/eating/play-fighting, and then they all go and curl up and have a little sleep together. It's cute.
They live in the living room now too, rather than in my bedroom, which means any noise they make doesn't bother me! I think being near 'the action' of the house makes them more curious and more motivated for digging and stuff. I certainly reckon mine dig way better and more interesting dens now they've got people to show off to (i.e. everyone who comes to visit!)...
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Post by maxthegerbil on Mar 20, 2006 4:44:31 GMT -8
Gerbils like to have a `routine`much as any small rodent and we have to respect that. If they want to sleep, let them sleep. Gerbils will always tell you when they want to play, or come out for a run around. Say for example they were up and about when you get up in the morning? You could interact with them for as long as they wanted. If they don`t wake when you want them to, I would`nt break their routine up if possible. My gerbils are usually up and about early in the morning, then sleep for hours, only appearing for a few minutes at a time to snack or pee! then it`s off to bed again. They normally awake after 2:30pm in the afternoon and they know it`s time to come out because they all sit there staring at me and jump around leaping up at the lid because they know what time it is! Animals need a routine, so let your gerbils tell you when they are ready. Waking them from a sleep could startle them, or upset their balance, even if you don`t think it does. Gerbils know the time of day you know!  |
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Post by grymonpre10 on Mar 20, 2006 12:50:34 GMT -8
Hi,
Thanks for the good advice, I already noticed that my gerbils are more awake in the evening, that's when I'm most of the time near the tank and then they get a few sunflowers. They start eating on my hand an they are not so much scared as in the beginning ;D. I have read that sunflowers are not so good to give because they are to fat. Can it be bad to give 3 sunflowers each day? It's the only thing they really crazy of. Carrots and raisins they don't like them so much. Or are there other things they really like?
Greets
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caz
Member
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Post by caz on Mar 20, 2006 13:13:18 GMT -8
3-4 sunny's a day is OK - but nor more, or you'll get porky gerbs! ;D
Caroline
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Post by maxthegerbil on Mar 21, 2006 1:58:07 GMT -8
Hello again. Yes, gerbils do love sunflower seeds! I give mine three or four each per day, but I don`t add any to their main food dish when feeding them. I only give them as hand fed treats when they are out playing and it`s so funny to see one gerbil crack a seed open and the other gerbil looking over when it hears the noise! It`s as if they actually know the sound of a sunflower shell cracking and run over to see why they did`nt get one!
Gerbils are more intelligent than people think! Pumpkin seeds are a treat too (these can be bought from a health food store and are green in colour, but white if they are in their shells). Many supermarkets stock them aswell.
Enjoy your little friends! They will tell you when they want to come out and play and if you can get a daily routine going and stick to it, your gerbils will bond with you better aswell.
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Post by themini on Mar 21, 2006 10:31:29 GMT -8
Maybe your Gerbils are bored. Do they have stuff to do?
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