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Post by Gerbil<:3 on Jan 24, 2015 8:00:53 GMT -8
My gerbil (Chester) died a few days ago  I think he and my other gerbil (Ralph) got in a fight, because Chester's neck and side were covered with blood. What should I do with Ralph? Should I get another gerbil so Ralph won't get lonely? I'm afraid if I get another one Ralph might hurt it. |
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Post by betty on Jan 24, 2015 8:51:52 GMT -8
It is possible that your gerbil Chester died first and then Ralph tried to 'clear him away'. You found him in mid clean up.
It is not unusual for some gerbils to eat their cage mates if they pass away. My sisters gerbil started to eat her cage-mates face and neck within half an hour of her dying, whereas I have had gerbils die unnoticed by me and they are still untouched a day or two later (I don't handle my gerbils everyday as they live in great big mutli-layered tanks).
From the evidence you have shared, I think there would be no good reason not to introduce Ralph to a new friend (an older single gerbil) or 2 young pups if Ralph is quite old. Use the split cage method (or get an breeder to help you with the young pups) and be patient either way.
I have even had gerbils who I know have attacked their cage-mates and they have been successfully split with other gerbils and are currently living happily together.
Good luck either way...
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Post by Gerbil<:3 on Jan 25, 2015 1:20:37 GMT -8
It makes a lot more sense that Ralph may have just been cleaning up. Because they were getting alone fine the week before. They were still sleeping together and everything. And Ralph didn't have a scratch. If they got in a fight that big, than Ralph should be a little beat up to, right?
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Post by betty on Jan 25, 2015 4:21:59 GMT -8
When gerbils fight, the 'victim' is usually bitten all around the back end, so bite marks on the tail, rump, genitals, back and back legs.
If your little one was attacked around the neck and side and the wounds were more like chunks missing rather than bite marks, then it would be almost certainly cleaning up. No live gerbil would sit still to be wounded more than a bite at a time.
Not nice I know, but helps to try to work out what happened, and hopefully ease your mind that Ralph didn't do anything mean to Chester.
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I think he and my other gerbil (Ralph) got in a fight, because Chester's neck and side were covered with blood. What should I do with Ralph? Should I get another gerbil so Ralph won't get lonely? I'm afraid if I get another one Ralph might hurt it. 
