Not sure if this is dominance, fighting or mating?

[bryony]

I've had my two female gerbils for 3-4 weeks now, they're both around 6 months old, I rehomed them from a woman who was unable to keep them because of her daughters allergies. For the past day or two one of them, Pistol, has been continuously trying to mount the other, Joben. I'm new to owning gerbils so really concerned as Joben seems to be getting scared of Pistol every time it happens as she's squeaking, running away and trying to get out of their cage! Once Joben runs away Pistol starts thumping, it seems like she's angry Joben won't let her hump her?! I'm worried that either they've become really hostile to each other or that Pistol is has been incorrectly sexed? I've tried to have a look myself but she's really difficult when it comes to being held as she's not as comfortable with me yet, from what I saw I believe she is female but this doesn't seem like normal female behaviour?! HELP!

[tuftsnfluff]

Hey there!

Sounds like Pistol is trying to establish herself as the dominate female of the pair. 

This "mounting" behavior is common when trying to work out the hierarchy.

Joben squeaks and runs because she's trying to let Pistol know that, at the moment, she isn't going to resist and she doesn't particularly like the mounting.

Hopefully Pistol will get the message.

However, if Pistol continues, as sometimes happen, Joben may get tired of the treatment and whip around -- and then there could be a dominance squabble.

Keep a close eye on them..

If you see the behavior starting to get worse -- such as very aggressive chasing, where one gerbil leaps about trying to get away, side arching, one gerbil not allowing the other to eat at the food bowl or drink, front paw boxing that looks more serious than "playing', etc..  then these can be signs of de-clanning.  

When that occurs, these personalities probably aren't going to mesh and one gerbil will need to be removed.

Otherwise you can end up with a really nasty, fur flying, balled up, bloody mess that could result in the death of one of the gerbils..

Hope this has been helpful!

[bryony]

May 13, 2019 5:27:38 GMT -8 tuftsnfluff said:

Hey there!

Sounds like Pistol is trying to establish herself as the dominate female of the pair. 

This "mounting" behavior is common when trying to work out the hierarchy.

Joben squeaks and runs because she's trying to let Pistol know that, at the moment, she isn't going to resist and she doesn't particularly like the mounting.

Hopefully Pistol will get the message.

However, if Pistol continues, as sometimes happen, Joben may get tired of the treatment and whip around -- and then there could be a dominance squabble.

Keep a close eye on them..

If you see the behavior starting to get worse -- such as very aggressive chasing, where one gerbil leaps about trying to get away, side arching, one gerbil not allowing the other to eat at the food bowl or drink, front paw boxing that looks more serious than "playing', etc..  then these can be signs of de-clanning.  

When that occurs, these personalities probably aren't going to mesh and one gerbil will need to be removed.

Otherwise you can end up with a really nasty, fur flying, balled up, bloody mess that could result in the death of one of the gerbils..

Hope this has been helpful!

Thanks so much for the reply! I think it's starting to subside a little now but I've been keeping a close eye on them and nothing has turned nasty (and hopefully it won't ever!). Really helpful advice, will keep in mind everything you've said, thankyou again!