|
|
Post by toxictygir on May 23, 2004 18:11:42 GMT -8
I'm Getting A few gerbils sometime this week or next week. I was wondering if anyone could tip me off on identifying a Gerbil's age? So that I will know if I can introduce them without any problems. Once they get to be certain age it's hard to introduce them right?  I was planning on getting a gerbil from One shop and another from another. There's not much variety in these pet shops around here. They're either all black, or all Gray. I really want an Apriot Gerbil...so pretty ;D I won't seperate any Gerbils if they're in a cage with another because like you all said, they need at lest one cage mate...but everytime I see one, they're in a cage all alone. Poor things.  But yea...I'll shutup now!  |
|
|
|
Post by butsam on May 23, 2004 19:48:31 GMT -8
It's ok; welcome to the gerbil board  Anyway, I got a couple more gerbils this week...wife caved in to the very cute colors that we had I introduced them successfully immediately. They fit easily in the palm of my hand (not including the tail)...I could hold them in one hand enclosed, and I have average-sized adult hands. So, if you have average-sized adult hands and make a fist, that is about how long the body should be, and how thick the body should look (including the fur), in order to successfully introduce. Of course, smaller is fine, too...but NO BIGGER THAN THAT. Let's see...that leaves room for bias...let me reinterpret that into numbers. No bigger than 1.5-inch diameter (~4 centimeters) for the body width (including fur, not patted down...fur as it looks naturally without holding it). No longer than 3 inches (~7.6 centimeters) for the length of the gerbil, not including the tail. The tail is roughly the same length as the body for all gerbils. You should probably shoot for smaller than these dimensions, and if you are not quite sure (ie, it is borderline), then don't do it unless you know the gerbil is no more than 6 weeks old (ie, the pet owner that is selling the gerbil can tell you the age of the gerbil). Be sure you get two gerbils of the same gender. Males are easy to identify...the male parts are on the underside just past the base of the tail. Males are easier to introduce to each other, from what I've heard, so I'd go with males. (I've only ever had males, and haven't had a problem introducing young pups of that size to two full-grown males.) Anyway, all of the best to you! Let us know if there is anything else we can do for ya Sam |
|
|
|
Post by ToxicT on May 24, 2004 14:42:12 GMT -8
Alrightie! Thanks, I'll keep that in mind! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Ritzie/Admin on May 25, 2004 4:55:48 GMT -8
Not much more to tell! It is the best to take gerbils of about 6-8 weeks old when you purchase them from two different shops, because than you can introduce them to each other without any problems. Older than 10 weeks will give most liley some problems and than you can e.g. do the splitcage method!
|
|
I was planning on getting a gerbil from One shop and another from another. There's not much variety in these pet shops around here. They're either all black, or all Gray. I really want an Apriot Gerbil...so pretty ;D I won't seperate any Gerbils if they're in a cage with another because like you all said, they need at lest one cage mate...but everytime I see one, they're in a cage all alone. Poor things. 
But yea...I'll shutup now! 
