Playing with gerbil

[bananaboat]

Is it OK to chase my gerbil around with my hand? I don’t want to keep doing it if it is being seen as an aggressive or dominant sort of behavior on my part. I can’t tell if my gerbil is running away when I do this because she thinks I’m chasing her or because she’s excited. Let me know, thanks. Also, she isn’t aggressive or anything and still takes treats from my hand.

[LilyandDaisy]

I wouldn't as I don't think they will see it as play.

Gerbils don't tend to chase each other in play, so they probably don't understand the concept of playful chasing.

[Markpd]

That's an interesting thought actually, do gerbils play with each other at all? (whether pups or adult).
I can't say I recall my boys doing so, but it's been over a year since they were together and I may simply be forgetting!

[LilyandDaisy]

Dec 4, 2022 6:34:37 GMT -8 Markpd said:

That's an interesting thought actually, do gerbils play with each other at all? (whether pups or adult).
I can't say I recall my boys doing so, but it's been over a year since they were together and I may simply be forgetting!

That's an interesting question. Gerbils don't appear to "play" nearly as much as other animals like dogs or cats. Perhaps because a lot of cat or dog play is actually practicing hunting skills which gerbils don't really need. One thing gerbils do need is to be able to fit into a clan, whether in a dominant or submissive role, and young pups will definitely practice this. When 4-week-old pups are tussling in the sand bath, they're practicing communication and conflict resolution skills for future life. The pups that usually come out on top during these scuffles tend to grow up to be more dominant so it's also a way of establishing a social hierarchy. 

So perhaps all animal "play" is just role-playing, like young human children playing games such as school or mums and dads. On one level it's just play, but on another level it's practicing for future life, and the children who always liked to be in, for example, an authoritative role (the teacher) or a nurturing role (the mother) when playing will often grow up to have those kinds of qualities in adulthood.

I have never observed adult gerbils to play with each other. Some people will talk about "play fighting" (boxing and wrestling) as opposed to "real fighting" (ball fighting) but I don't think this is actually play. I think it's just a non-serious disagreement. Likewise, some gerbil chasing is trivial, such as chasing to steal treats from each other, but it never seems to be a particularly enjoyable experience for the gerbil being chased (well, aside from the mating chase anyway).

[Markpd]

Interesting to hear that pups role 'play' at least.
Aww I remember that video now, they were soo cute!