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Post by alex maeve taylor on Nov 6, 2020 12:54:00 GMT -8
i bought a couple of gerbils from pets at home a couple of weeks ago. i was told they were both girls. luna has white fur with darker roots and willow has black fur with lighter roots. i've realised that willow is noticeably bigger than luna, and the girl who sold me them didn't check their genders or do a health check or anything, i'm worried they might have been miss-gendered and i'm gonna have gerbil babies in a month. i've been trying to get them used to me, i was able to take them out a few times towards the end of the first week through to the middle of the second week but now when i try and approach the cage luna starts drumming and they both hide. when i go to refill the food or move something in the cage they nibble at my fingers. they have never taken treats from me despite me trying once a day. i'm worried that i handled them wrong or the environment is stressing them out and now they are super scared of me, i don't have anywhere else i can put the cage. i live with my partner who has 2 rats and although they are in separate cages the rats and gerbils are both in our bedroom and i'm also worried that their smell is scaring my gerbils. it's at the point now where i want to clean their cage but can't because they won't let me near them to empty the cage out. can someone please give me some advice, it's really bumming me out because i got them in hopes that they would help with me feeling anxious, but now i feel like they hate me :/ i'm really struggling and any help with this would be really appreciated. i have so many questions and i'm worried about so many things. i thought i was pretty prepared and informed but i feel like everything i know just isn't cutting it with these two.
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Post by Markpd on Nov 6, 2020 15:32:45 GMT -8
Opps, no biggie but you've posted in the wrong section, as have many others  (it's meant for forum software issues), never mind I'll tag some people if this thread doesn't get more attention  . I'm of limited help I'm afraid as I've only had gerbils for 3mths (after a 32yr gap! lol), but I can tell you that my boys also went through a stage where they became less tame a couple of weeks or so after I had them (including thumping more), and I recall another person here recently had the same issue. For both of us they chilled out as time went on, and although I can barely pick mine up atm for more than a few seconds, they're not scared of me anymore. I suspect it's a temporary thing with you too (and I'm sure they don't hate you, just nervous). As for the rats, I suppose it depends how close their cage is? Re them not taking treats, how long did you hold your hand still for? And what treats have you tried? Hopefully more experienced folks will answer soon (if not, as I said I'll tag them). |
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Post by beachbumgerbils on Nov 6, 2020 15:40:14 GMT -8
First of all, they don't hate you, I promise. Gerbils are prey species, they are very easily frightened. And many gerbils from a pet store aren't handled very much. A new home and environment is a big transition for them. Be patient. Move slow. Talk to them so they get used to the sound of your voice. Maybe put some sunflower seeds or something they really like in the palm of your hand and see if they'll take it from you.
If you are worried about the genders, you can always try gently scooping them up in a clear container, like tupperware, and take pictures. Then we can help you figure out whether babies might be coming. The size difference could be gender related or one may be older than the other. There can also be size variation within a litter. A runt may not grow up to be as big as its siblings.
I will let someone else pitch in about whether or not the rats might be a stressor. But I have a ball python that lives in the same room (across the room) from my gerbils and that has not ever seemed to cause any stress.
Patience is the biggest thing. It takes time with many of them. I have several that were rescued and never handled that still disappear in their house when I walk in the room. It will get better and they don't hate you.
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Post by jal on Nov 7, 2020 4:18:48 GMT -8
I can understand how you feel. If you feel a bit down and anxious anyway and something doesn't quite turn out as expected it can knock you back. I can't add much to the good advice in the above posts as I'm not that experienced but, know you often do just need to be patient. With my current older adopted pair but also previous pairs I had from babies many years ago, I found it usually took about 6 months before they really started to relax and trust you and they continued to become tamer probably over about 12 months. You just suddenly notice they are more comfortable around you. I'm sure it could happen a lot sooner but I tend to go quite slowly with the taming process. I'm not necessarily saying that's the best way but the way I feel most comfortable with.
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Pim
Member
Posts: 346 
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Post by Pim on Nov 7, 2020 12:32:31 GMT -8
It's going to take a bit of patience and every animal is different but, you just need to show them that they can trust you and then you'll benefit so much from these amazing little guys. On the issue of possible babies I would first ask for some people to look at them to tell you weather or not they are both girls. then you can start preparing for pups if you need to.
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Post by alex maeve taylor on Nov 7, 2020 14:16:27 GMT -8
i'll try with the clear containers tomorrow, someone also suggested sitting in an empty bathtub and letting them climb on me to get used to my scent? is this a good idea or not? thank you all for your support i'll be sure to post the photos on this thread tomorrow. willow (the bigger one) has started thumping when i'm nowhere near the cage. the rats are on the opposite side of the room, quite literally as far away from my gerbils as possible. Opps, no biggie but you've posted in the wrong section, as have many others (it's meant for forum software issues), never mind I'll tag some people if this thread doesn't get more attention . I'm of limited help I'm afraid as I've only had gerbils for 3mths (after a 32yr gap! lol), but I can tell you that my boys also went through a stage where they became less tame a couple of weeks or so after I had them (including thumping more), and I recall another person here recently had the same issue. For both of us they chilled out as time went on, and although I can barely pick mine up atm for more than a few seconds, they're not scared of me anymore. I suspect it's a temporary thing with you too (and I'm sure they don't hate you, just nervous). As for the rats, I suppose it depends how close their cage is? Re them not taking treats, how long did you hold your hand still for? And what treats have you tried? Hopefully more experienced folks will answer soon (if not, as I said I'll tag them). |
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Post by alex maeve taylor on Nov 7, 2020 14:47:49 GMT -8
oops, forgot to reply regarding the treats; i have tried the milk droplets, strawberry biscuit hearts, unsalted pistachios, penuts and different bits from their muesli mix. i usually hold my hand out for a good 5 seconds but i usually back off when one of them comes up seems a little interested and then ends up nibbling my finger rather than the treat. i'll try with the clear containers tomorrow, someone also suggested sitting in an empty bathtub and letting them climb on me to get used to my scent? is this a good idea or not? thank you all for your support i'll be sure to post the photos on this thread tomorrow. willow (the bigger one) has started thumping when i'm nowhere near the cage. the rats are on the opposite side of the room, quite literally as far away from my gerbils as possible. Opps, no biggie but you've posted in the wrong section, as have many others (it's meant for forum software issues), never mind I'll tag some people if this thread doesn't get more attention . I'm of limited help I'm afraid as I've only had gerbils for 3mths (after a 32yr gap! lol), but I can tell you that my boys also went through a stage where they became less tame a couple of weeks or so after I had them (including thumping more), and I recall another person here recently had the same issue. For both of us they chilled out as time went on, and although I can barely pick mine up atm for more than a few seconds, they're not scared of me anymore. I suspect it's a temporary thing with you too (and I'm sure they don't hate you, just nervous). As for the rats, I suppose it depends how close their cage is? Re them not taking treats, how long did you hold your hand still for? And what treats have you tried? Hopefully more experienced folks will answer soon (if not, as I said I'll tag them). |
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Post by Markpd on Nov 7, 2020 17:47:49 GMT -8
Ah, you need to try sunflower seeds , most gerbils love them! And mine also love pumpkin seeds..... oh and mealworms!...and raisins , but you shouldn't feed the latter too often (because of sugar). |
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Post by alex maeve taylor on Nov 7, 2020 18:32:39 GMT -8
awesome, i'll get some in the morning! thank you ☺️ Ah, you need to try sunflower seeds , most gerbils love them! And mine also love pumpkin seeds..... oh and mealworms!...and raisins , but you shouldn't feed the latter too often (because of sugar). |
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Post by alexmaevetaylor on Nov 8, 2020 8:51:41 GMT -8
 this is the best photo i could get of the both of them, i tried taking photos separately but luna wouldn't stay still i couldn't get a clear photo without willow there too. also, thank you for the tip about sunflower seeds. we have lift off, they both took some out of the palm of my hand and willow hopped right on and i was able to bring her to my chest for a for moments while she ate her seeds and i stroked her back gently. luna is hesitant to get fully onto my hand but there is still progress, i had 3 little feet on my hand earlier, just waiting for the four to come along now. |
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Post by Markpd on Nov 8, 2020 14:33:33 GMT -8
Good to hear I'm going to guess they are both girls, but take that with a bucket of salt, lol, as I'm new to this, will be interesting to see what experienced people say.
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Post by betty on Nov 8, 2020 15:41:50 GMT -8
Yes, if they are over 12 weeks and you have the heating on - these are definitely two girls.
The easy thing to note for anyone in this situation is that they are identical - so even if you didn't know the actual sex - they are both the same sex - whatever that is.
Great to have them side by side like that to be extra sure.
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Post by Markpd on Nov 8, 2020 17:58:55 GMT -8
Lol, never occurred to me that gerbil boys conkers could shrink so much in the cold you wouldn't see them!? |
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Post by betty on Nov 8, 2020 18:34:31 GMT -8
I find with young pups it can be the case - so anything under 12 weeks - best to warm them up first!!!!
I have never missexed a female at a young age - but have been caught out by young males before.
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Post by alexmaevetaylor on Nov 9, 2020 5:03:05 GMT -8
yes the heating is pretty much always on, thank you for your help!! i really appreciate it |
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(it's meant for forum software issues), never mind I'll tag some people if this thread doesn't get more attention 
.
), late 70s
