Doctor Digby
Member
Quorra & Amelia: Buttheads Extraordinaire
Posts: 724
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Post by Doctor Digby on Jun 9, 2013 11:52:54 GMT -8
you are very welcome :3
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Post by streetwisegerbil on Jun 9, 2013 12:34:01 GMT -8
Bertie is now on a Tail Wag Fest! Again! Like he's sweeping the floor. Digby might be a little Buttface but Bertie is turning into a little Buttbum!
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Post by sofluffy on Jun 9, 2013 12:47:26 GMT -8
He heard us talking about it and wanted to get in on the action! lol!
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Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Jun 9, 2013 13:10:12 GMT -8
Tail wagging, or tail whipping, is an aggressive behavior. If you're gerbil is whipping their tail and back forth, they are highly irritated.
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Post by mrnibblesman on Jun 9, 2013 14:30:07 GMT -8
Mine wags in a circle when I'm feeding treats when I hold him Isn't that a balance thing? Like a propeller? Or is it the quick whippy back and forth , side to side movement ? Much more like a propeller motion
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Doctor Digby
Member
Quorra & Amelia: Buttheads Extraordinaire
Posts: 724
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Post by Doctor Digby on Jun 9, 2013 20:09:36 GMT -8
Tail wagging, or tail whipping, is an aggressive behavior. If you're gerbil is whipping their tail and back forth, they are highly irritated. this is good to know. thank you. I'm glad it was only the one time.
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Post by sofluffy on Jun 9, 2013 23:49:16 GMT -8
Is this proven, though? Like why would a gerbil do that whilst they're eating a treat etc.
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Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Jun 10, 2013 4:42:18 GMT -8
If they are perched on your hands, they may use their tail to balance. Usually it goes in a circle. Tail whipping is side to side (which could look circular too if they are in your hands), and doesn't involve the entire tail, often its just the end whipping back and forth, where as catching their balance requires their entire tail. This is part of a hostile display, ears forward/out, standing on all 4's but standing tall with their head raised high, they are in alert mode. They may be scared, threatened, or just plain irritated.
Some of my gerbils will tail whip when I take them out of their cages or put them in a new situation, they aren't being aggressive towards me in particular, but the new surroundings and the presence of other animals (cats/dogs), might being agitating them.
Also I don't know if you've had a cat before, but I've seen cats still eat food while they're upset and their tails are whipping back and forth, or beating them on the ground. Lol.
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Doctor Digby
Member
Quorra & Amelia: Buttheads Extraordinaire
Posts: 724
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Post by Doctor Digby on Jun 10, 2013 4:55:05 GMT -8
Digby was on her hind legs chewing a toilet paper rolls when she whipped her tail back and forth so I dont think her's was an aggressive of sorts.
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Post by eaturbyfill on Jul 3, 2013 13:45:17 GMT -8
I didn't know gerbils could wag their tails! Interesting. I've seen my rats do it, but only when very agitated with another rattie.
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Post by thefactory on Aug 22, 2013 20:58:00 GMT -8
Only briefly while they are shuffling to a better position on my hand!
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Post by bambi on Dec 16, 2013 21:41:21 GMT -8
mine wags her tail as well but she also jumps up an down like a happy puppy when i get home its so cute
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Post by pythonsforever on Jul 30, 2019 4:08:47 GMT -8
Adorable! Kendal did it once when overjoyed with a new toy so I assumed it was happy behaviour, like a dog?
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