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Help!
Mar 18, 2005 10:49:19 GMT -8
Post by madmatt on Mar 18, 2005 10:49:19 GMT -8
Hi i recently bought two male gerbils and they are about 5 weeks old. They will come and smell my hands and then quickly run away. I don't think they will actually let me hold them or pick them up yet. They have come onto my hand before but only very quickly. Anyway any information on taming gerbils is greatly appreciated! (And needed lol ;D) Also when people actually hold there gerbils how to they catch them??? Do they just grab them despite them running around like mad lol? thanks......
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Help!
Mar 18, 2005 14:04:29 GMT -8
Post by lizzy on Mar 18, 2005 14:04:29 GMT -8
See if they will take food from your hands As for catching them, see if you can just scoop them up with both hands. Most of my gerbils are really tame so I can just pick them up or "grab" them, well not grab, that sounds a bit harsh, but not reccommended if they're not used to handling. Grabbing them roughly when they're not used to it, can reverse any progress you've made so far with them. so yeah, just be slow in taming and it'll pay off
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Help!
Mar 18, 2005 17:16:12 GMT -8
Post by gerbil on Mar 18, 2005 17:16:12 GMT -8
When I tamed my gerbs, I put my closed fist in and let them play with it. Then I tried to open it up and put sunflower seeds in them. They loved it. At first they just grabbed it and ran to a corner, but later, they sat on my hand and ate. If they get comfortable with human touch, they'll have no problem with you picking them up. Remember, be patient!
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Mar 18, 2005 20:35:21 GMT -8
Post by AndreaS15 on Mar 18, 2005 20:35:21 GMT -8
When I'm taming sme new gerbils I usually palc emy hand in teh tank multiple times day for them to explore, I never pick them up or lift my hand while they are in it at this stage. I add some treats like sunflower seend to the palm, and after a while the gerbils trust me enough to et right on my hand. I also like to wear big long sleeves, the gerbils have SO much fun climbing up the sleeves inside and out, this way they are learning my smell and haveing a great time doing it. They learn the big hand is fun AND gives treats. Soon enough they will be wanting to get picked up and played with. i can't put my hand in a tank now without a bunch of gerbils crawling up my arm lol...
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Mar 19, 2005 2:54:21 GMT -8
Post by madmatt on Mar 19, 2005 2:54:21 GMT -8
lol thanks for the info ;D it was really helpful.... I was told that if you put sunflower seeds etc on your hand they will expect it and get nippy if you don't have use them every time is that right??? Thanks!....
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Help!
Mar 19, 2005 12:24:31 GMT -8
Post by madmatt on Mar 19, 2005 12:24:31 GMT -8
I'm a bit worried about just actually picking them up because it seems that they would struggle/bite a lot! at the moment i'm just letting them walk on my hands (which they sometimes do but only very quickly and they seem nervous) they are used to me having my hands in the cage etc i just need to know how to actually catch them to allow me to hold them? Thanks ...
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Help!
Mar 19, 2005 12:30:57 GMT -8
Post by madmatt on Mar 19, 2005 12:30:57 GMT -8
lol with the way things are going, i think it's just me being skittish around small animals
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Help!
Mar 20, 2005 14:59:04 GMT -8
Post by ecoa on Mar 20, 2005 14:59:04 GMT -8
I hope they tame for you.
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