Good or Bad idea.

[Manix]

I recently purchased a tank expansion for my ten gallon. I'm not too impressed with it's plastic insertable levels and ramps, but I can custom makes those to suit me. Over all it looks sound enough with no gap between bars being more than 1 cm. It fits snug overtop a ten gallon glass aquarium.

Now to the point! With the added space in the tank I was thinking about a second (or really this would make third) gerbil. With Cleo's old tank empty, I would have a back up tank if the new comer isn't welcomed. I was actually considering a female for Punkin who will be 1 year old in February. Is he too old to try to introduce another gerb., let alone a female? Would he make a good father? He's a bit on the small side but I suppose he might grow a bit more. He's a tab bit jumpy and nervous but appears to have a good personaltiy. If he wouldn't make a good father and breeding isn't a possibility, what about introducing another male?

[queenofthenile]

So Punkin alone right now? If so, I would introduce 1 very young male pup. Try and find one that is 5-6 weeks old. Introductions between males are usually very easy. Often, you can add the pup without even having to split-cage the gerbils.

[Manix]

Yes, Punkins alone. I'd be afraid to introduce another gerbil to Rin (He's close to 3 years old now).

Do you think I'd have better luck with a male pup than a female?

[queenofthenile]

It would be equally easy to introduce a male or female pup. I really don't think there is any point breeding, however, unless you've planned things out (ie: colour, temperment, placing pups, etc...).

[Manix]

Well, I could only find male pups. I bought an 8 week old Black. He's very calm and will sit still in your hand. I put a tank devider in Punkins cage and let them sniff each other. Punkin did NOT like him at all. He even attacked my hand where the babys smell was. Rin on the other hand, the 2 1/2 year old, took to him quickly. I couldn't believe it! I thought he was trying to bite him then I saw he was grooming him! He just can't seem to get him clean enough though. The baby finally stopped squeaking and let him clean. They are now in Rin's tank (which has been given the tank topper) and seem to be getting along very well. I hope this lasts.
<fingers crossed>

EDIT: Several hours later and all is well. Rin appears to enjoy the babys company. I feel safe letting the baby stay with him. To complete the pair, I'm naming the baby "Stimpy". Rin was named after a cartoon charactor from a show called "Rin and Stimpy." It's only appropriate his new friend is named likewise. I couldn't be more proud of Rin, this is a very happy day!

[queenofthenile]

I would still try to get Punkin a friend too. Many gerbils do not take to each other instantly. It can sometimes take up to two weeks of split-caging to have them get along. Most of the time, it has only taken me a couple of days.

[Manix]

I don't know. I feel like I got lucky with Rin adopting Stimpy. He seems almost posessive of him! Maybe I'm still not over Cleo but I'm scared to death Stimpy is going to get sick too. My bedroom stays so cold. He was sneazing all day yesterday and this morning Rin was reluctant to let me touch him (Stimpy).

[sweetie]

Hey great job!! I am glad that Rin & Stimpy are getting along so well. How is Punkin doing? Did Rin have Cleo with him or did Punkin? Sorry if I can't remember. I'm getting old!! LOL

[Manix]

Cleo lived by herself in a 5 gallon. When I got her, I had only Rin. I inherited Punkin from my sister when she moved. When I bought Cleo she was still too young to be sure exactly what she was, so I never even considered trying introduce her to Rin. I never considered introducing Rin to Punkin. I think I could have though. When I got Punkin he was 3 months old and would sniff whiskers with Rin without acting violent.
I was always afraid to try to introduce the two becuase my sisters previous gerbil, Teke, had tried to attack one my gerbils (Hootie) when I let them sniff each other. Luckily, Teke missed and bit me instead of Hootie.
Hootie was like Rin, very sweet and gentle. He never once bit or nipped and was very content to sit and cuddle. He never even saw Teke lunging at him.
Teke, on the other hand, did not want anyones company except my sister. I remember him waking her up at night becuase he wanted to play. She would get up and take him to bed with her and let him romp on the bed awhile until he was ready to go back to sleep. Sometimes he would curl up in her hair and nap.
When Teke died last March my sister was very upset and went out and bought Punkin. She soon learned that Punkin was NOT Teke and never would be. He has a different personality, as do all animals. One day Punkin was trying to crawl off the back edge of a dresser and my sister barely cuaght him in time (by the foot). Teke didn't appreicate being yanked back up to safety by his toes, so he bit her. She has been afraid of him ever since. Shortly after this my siter noticed me trying to find a new home for one of my Fish. It was a variety of pleco called a leporacanthicus. I had always wanted one of these but had never considered getting one due to their adult size. I bought it anyway hoping I could find a responsible collector to take him. In the end I found Dino, a very nice man who helps moderate the fish forum I do graphics for. My sister, upon seeing me find a new ower for my fish, decided to do the same for Punkin. Actually, she asked ME to do it for her. I knew this would be next to impossible and I couldn't stand seeing Punknin go to anyone else. I told her I would find Punknin a home and promptly moved him to my bedroom where he stayed put.
So, at that point in time I had 3 gerbils each in seperate tanks, plus a 20 gallon fish tank as well as a 7 gallon fish tank, all crammed into a very tiny bedroom.

Wait...what was your question again? Oh yes, Cleo. How did I get started on my gerbils life story!? Oops Sorry. ;D