|
Post by arisingdawn on Mar 19, 2014 8:00:30 GMT -8
Yesterday, Zeke ripped Oreo's stomache out... The people at my pet store told me to feed them a certain amount, but evidently, it wasn't enough.
My parents say I can't keep gerbils anymore. They tell me Zeke is a savage killer, and he will kill any new friends I try to introduce him to, and he might even hurt me... My dad says "Once an animal has a taste of blood, they want more"
My heart is almost broken in two... I've only had gerbils for 1-2 months, and I've loved them so much. If I could go back in time, I would fix all this.
Is it true? Will Zeke need a new friend, or will he kill him? He wouldn't hurt me because of this... Right?
|
|
|
Post by Jazzable on Mar 19, 2014 9:19:32 GMT -8
Can you tell us any more about exactly what happened? Did you see it happen? Did they seem to be fighting a lot in the time leading up to it? Did either of them seem to be acting strangely, lehtargic, off their food? It sounds like a pretty unusual thing to happen. But it's actually probably more likely that Oreo died of natural causes. Gerbils have an instinct to 'clean up', so if Zeke found Oreo dead, he may have been trying to clear away the body by eating it. It's not a nice thought, but it does happen.
|
|
|
Post by arisingdawn on Mar 19, 2014 9:26:49 GMT -8
I think Oreo did die from natural causes, and Zeke tried to clean up.
I'm actually not with the poor babies ATM, I had someone watching them. He said Zeke had blood on his little face, and Oreo was laying with his stomache ripped open. I intend on asking my friend who was watching them to check for bite marks or anything else.
|
|
|
Post by Jazzable on Mar 19, 2014 9:56:07 GMT -8
It's very sad, but that is most likely what happened. It's very unlikely that a lack of food would cause them to turn on each other, and it's probably nothing that their current babysitters did. It's possible that the small stress of being looked after a bit differently contributed to Oreo getting ill, but there's no way to know for sure.
It's probably a good idea to consider getting a new friend for Zeke, although there's no rush. You might want to try keeping him on his own for a while and see how he is: if he seems to be depressed alone, then that will be a sign that he'll do better with a friend - but some gerbils do fine alone.
|
|
|
Post by littlebird on Mar 19, 2014 9:59:52 GMT -8
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry this happened. I know you must be devastated. I find it hard to believe that Zeke is a "savage killer" and I think your dad is wrong about his taste for blood. Gerbils are not carnivores and don't just arbitrarily eat each other even if they do get a "taste of blood" as your father says. It doesn't work that way. As the others have said, it's possible that Oreo just died of natural causes and Zeke was doing what comes naturally to him and trying to clean up. If you never saw any aggression between the two and everything seemed fine, I can't imagine that Zeke would just attack him and kill him for no reason. On the other hand, some gerbs are just not very social and do prefer to be alone. Only you can answer that about Zeke since you know him best. First thing I would do if I were you is to try and educate your dad about gerbils and what really happened. Try to talk to him about their behavior and the fact that they are not carnivores who go around eating other animals. Sometimes bad things just happen but it doesn't mean it was your fault or Zeke's fault and it surely should not mean that you never be allowed to have gerbils again. Good luck sweetie and big hugs~
|
|
|
Post by arisingdawn on Mar 19, 2014 10:09:26 GMT -8
I'm trying to explain to my parents what really could have happened, but they refuse to believe me. They say we will have to kill Zeke because he will "bite me" or "kill anything he meets"
Zeke is not a killer, I know this for sure :C
I usually give my gerbils hours outside of the cage (not all at once.) The person watching them right now doesn't have time to do that, but he would if he could.
I really want to get Zeke a new friend, but my parents think he will kill him. I think Zeke needs a friend, though. He had a lot of good times with his brother, and he will most likely get lonely. He really isn't aggressive.
|
|
|
Post by Thelodar on Mar 19, 2014 10:14:19 GMT -8
My gerbil ate out her sisters stomach after she had died. Or at least that is the conclusion I came to because there was no blood anywhere in the tank. If there had been an attack I figured blood would have gotten on something.
Even if he had killed his cagemate, that doesn't mean he's going to be aggressive towards you. Just like dogs who are aggressive towards other dogs can be awesome with people. And animals who taste blood don't start killing things either, that is a myth.
|
|
|
Post by arisingdawn on Mar 19, 2014 10:16:12 GMT -8
So Zeke can have a cage mate?
|
|
keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
|
Post by keldamouse on Mar 19, 2014 11:06:27 GMT -8
Yes Zeke can have a cage mate. Perhaps don't worry right away about getting a cage mate (if you are able to keep your gerbil) and let things calm down with your parents.
I really believe that your parents are not understanding how gerbils work and behave. They are prey animals and it is their instinct to clean up something that would attract predators. I understand that your parents are worried about you but it is just because they are applying their limited knowledge to the issue. Try to find an article online from an "expert" or in a book. Print it out and give it to them. It will be up to you to give them the information so they can understand what happened. Perhaps try to call around to vets and talk to a friendly vet tech that would be willing to confirm what we are saying here. Gerbils are very sweet animals (and much safer than hamsters as far as biting you goes-in my opinion), but they are just animals and will always be afraid of being cornered by predators. After all it has only been 50 years since they were domesticated and their brains are just programed to act like prey.
I am sending really good thoughts your way and hoping for the best for you.
|
|
|
Post by streetwisegerbil on Mar 19, 2014 11:16:20 GMT -8
Ok. You have now quite properly started a new thread on this topic but when you originally broke this terrible news to us, you did it on the " taming gerbils" thread here: gerbilforum.proboards.com/thread/28904/taming-gerbilsI mention this as we seem to be going around in circles and a lot of other important information was given in this thread . Basically, you started saying that your gerbils were not tame and you asked for tips. The you said you had a friend watching them for you, ... And then you asked if they could go 3 days without food. You then revealed that You had no choice but to leave them with a friend and next time you would take them on the airplane with you. You then said that someone's brother was kicking them...you would look Into pet sitters. You then said that your Friend had found Oreo dead etc. I gave you some pointers and you started worrying about whether to get another friend for Zeke , he was young , it may be tricky and you didn't have room if you needed to get another tank if it didn't work out. Now you are saying that your dad is branding Zeke as some man eating gerbil . First, no, he is not like a lion who can turn against humans once they have tasted blood. Secondly, unless you can actually work out what happened by asking your friend, then you are not going to be able to make any decisions over the future ( friend or no friend ) Thirdly, I'm not quite sure what your set up is but do you have to fly away regularly and is it fair to leave a gerbil, who is a naturally sociable animal in the hands of a sitter for many days? Fourthly, how dependent are you on your dad or his opinions? Finally, yes, you do have to consider what you would do if the introduction does not work. Owning a pet involves being able to be there for him when the going gets tough. You have to be self financing or have the backing of someone who can help and support you in all ways.
|
|
|
Post by arisingdawn on Mar 19, 2014 11:55:20 GMT -8
My parents rarely know anything about my pets- I spent close to a year researching gerbils as pets and presented as much information I gathered to them. But after a while, they are sick of hearing me talk about gerbils, and say finally agree. I was so excited, because Zeke and Oreo were the first pets I have ever had (aside from a few betta fish and goldfish)
I'm flying home today, and I will observe Zeke and decide if he needs a new cage mate. I will also be working on upgrading the cage with shelves, toys, and a lot more bedding
|
|
|
Post by sparky on Mar 19, 2014 14:15:27 GMT -8
I'm sorry this has happened. Do you know if Zeke has any injuries? If he had killed Oreo they would have fought and Zeke would very likely have been injured too. That could help you work out what happened. I think the first thing you need to do when you get home is talk to your friend to see if he knows what happens and check Zeke for injuries.
|
|
|
Post by arisingdawn on Mar 19, 2014 14:57:48 GMT -8
I'm going to find out everything I can from my friend. In a few minutes I'll be on a plane back home, and I can take a look at Zeke.
I'm going to miss little Oreo, he was such a lovely little guy... <3
|
|
|
Post by crittercrazy on Mar 19, 2014 15:12:40 GMT -8
I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to Oreo. I'm basically just going to say a repeat of what everyone else said; its very likely that Oreo died of natural causes and Zeke instinctively started cleaning up. If they had been in the wild and Oreo had died, that would have attracted predators and therefore danger, so though somewhat disturbing it is normal for Zeke to do that. I do get that your parents just don't understand animals (or at least not gerbils), but try to explain to them that the way your father is thinking about this just doesn't work. Gerbils are not carnivores, and meat is not part of there diet. Therefore Zeke would not try to eat another gerbil. (Unless he was trying to clean it up after it already died, as I and others mentioned) The "taste of blood" thing doesn't make sense either. My gerbil Peanut has tasted plenty of blood, including mine, and her behavior towards me/other gerbils has not changed at all. And the chances are that Zeke would get along just fine with a friend. Good luck and I'm sorry you had to have this happen with your new gerbils!
|
|
|
Post by arisingdawn on Mar 19, 2014 19:42:50 GMT -8
Thank you so much, that makes so much sense My older brother says if Zeke bites me, or even nibbles me, he will put him down. :c
|
|