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Post by panthershadow83 on Jan 1, 2005 12:17:24 GMT -8
Ugh! I just got my gerbil today. She's a sweetie, a light brown with a white tummy... but get this: My plans were to get two male gerbils, because everyone has been saying gerbils live longer and happier lives with a pal... well, when I went to the petstore today, the guy I was talking to told me that they have a policy; only one gerbil per person. This is because (and I quote) "99.9% of the time, gerbils that are in pairs will fight." I told him that I'd done TONS of research (I have), and that every source told me to pair up gerbils. He, of course, told me that I should only believe 25% of what I read on the internet. I would have just gone to a different pet store or a breeder, but I emailed some breeders over a week ago and they haven't replied. I also don't trust any other pet stores in my area. So now instead of two male gerbils, I have one sweet little girl. I just hope she'll be happy.
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Post by bettybob on Jan 1, 2005 13:41:30 GMT -8
wow...youd think that they would learn more about the animals that they sell. ive heard of lots of places only willing to sell gerbils in pairs..one gerbil per person is ridiculus. maybe you could go back to the same pet store later and they will have forgotten that you already baught one. anyway, congrats on the new gerbil
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Post by sweetie on Jan 1, 2005 13:47:38 GMT -8
Hey Panther, Congratulations on your new little sweet gerbil. Were do you live? Did you look at AGS or on here for *active* breeders? Many times people will breed then stop and not update thier information. FYI, I live in the NorthWest region of SC and have 11 pups available in a few weeks, if you would like one you can have one. You might also try another petstore. You may be able to successfully introduce a female pup with your existing female. I also would like the name and contact at the petstore if you are comfortable with that. If possible and email address. I think I's like to call them to inform them of the proper care of gerbils!! Too many times, petstores do not know what they are talking about regarding the animals they sell.
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Post by amie on Jan 1, 2005 13:53:35 GMT -8
I think it is a good idea if u call them, i would but no one will beleive a 10 year old
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simcoe
Member
Ginger & Bucky ? My girls.
Posts: 62
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Post by simcoe on Jan 1, 2005 14:03:45 GMT -8
I'm betting that 99% of that store's complaints come from people who try to house together two gerbils that weren't raised together and haven't been properly introduced. If you were to take two gerbs from separate clans/tanks and toss them in together when you got home of course they'd fight.
I worry about that sometimes when I visit the gerbs at Petsmart. The staff there seem very knowledgable and do recommend keeping pairs, but they often house gerbils alone -- I'm assuming because they're from different shipments and litters. If a customer wanted two of the store's separately-housed gerbs, would they discourage it? Would they give proper instructions for split-caging? The average customer (not a gerb addict like you or I) probably wouldn't be as patient with such things -- or as tolerant of the fact that sometimes two non-clan gerbs just don't take to one another.
The pet shop you visited probably thinks it's safer to avoid any risk of complaint altogether.
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Post by gracie on Jan 1, 2005 14:07:41 GMT -8
i think its totally crazy that they only sell 1 gerbil per person! its a free country, u should be able to buy what u want with your money! i would go back there and see if they remember. if they do u can just say your gerbil died and u want a new one...(could work). Congrats on your new little sweetie! what have u decided to call her?
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Post by panthershadow83 on Jan 1, 2005 17:14:36 GMT -8
Sweetie~ I'll send you the contact info through the message system.
Great. Since I only bought the one gerbil, my dad is going to go bonkers if I try for another one. {sigh} Well, so far she seems to be getting along alright. I hope she won't get lonely...
BTW, I just remembered, the (stupid) person who was picking up my gerbil for me to see her picked her up by the MIDDLE of the tail. Stupid people.
Right now, she's staring off into space. She's been doing that a couple of times since I brought her home. Is that normal?
Finally, her name is Memphis. ;D
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Jan 1, 2005 18:37:59 GMT -8
Could you give us a description of this 'staring' does she freeze completely? does she do it at particular times or when theres noise ?? Oh nad I suggest you point the shop in the direction of the NGS www.gerbils.co.ukI can also find you scientific evidence on the social mature of gerbils if desired what absolute idiots that shop are
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Post by panthershadow83 on Jan 1, 2005 19:04:26 GMT -8
She just randomly stops and stares... sometimes she looks tired, sometimes sad, sometimes curious. Maybe it's the shock of coming to a new home...
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Jan 1, 2005 19:06:26 GMT -8
I'm not sure but I think she's fitting. She should outgrow it but she must not be bred from as she will pass this tendency on to her pups.
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Post by paws on Jan 2, 2005 1:05:31 GMT -8
Go to the shop saying that you need a new gerbil becasue your previous gerbil just died. That's only if they recognise you. ;D I would. The shop I bought mine in did not recognise me. Petshop people who will not sell gebrils in pairs are too stupid. I have nothing to say though, bcasue I have a lone gerbil that cannot be accepted.
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Post by gracie on Jan 2, 2005 10:53:50 GMT -8
thats what i said a few posts up. i could work... did they really pick her up by the middle of the tail?? that is so mean!
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Post by panthershadow83 on Jan 2, 2005 13:57:27 GMT -8
I can't go back... its been over 24 hours, she would have forgotten about the other gerbils in the cage... well, she seems pretty happy luckily.
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Post by paws on Jan 2, 2005 15:46:40 GMT -8
Ah well. If she's happy that's good. I find that then they are actually more tame and people oriented if they are lone .
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Post by panthershadow83 on Jan 2, 2005 16:25:25 GMT -8
Oh my gosh, i can't get over her!! She has this little wood thing that's a bunch of logs put together and you can bend it... and instead of going the quick way from her nest to her sandbox, she must go through the log thing, kick her bedding, check the dish under the water bottle (possibly to tell if its leaking... lol) and THEN she sits in her sandbox and rolls around. Luckily she isn't using her sandbox as a toilet so it's not smelly... but she does use it to store half-eaten corn and pellets... Lastly, I bought her this little igloo made for small animales like her... instead of building her nest in there like I hoped, she camped out beside the wheel... I don't think she's even been inside the igloo, only on top of it (and behind it... but that was because she slipped...) ;D
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