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Post by sweetie on Aug 13, 2004 9:54:53 GMT -8
Okay members, I have a questions for you regarding squeaking. Lately, Sweetie my Sapphire female who is about 15 weeks has been squeaking when she's out of her house. She will be all by herself and start to squeak. She has shown no aggressive behavior only grooming?  What's going on with her? |
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Post by queenofthenile on Aug 13, 2004 15:54:03 GMT -8
It *may* be related to the fact that she can smell those other gerbils through the divider. Right now, Jasper is squeaking when his mate grooms him because my two tanks are too close together and he can smell the gerbils inside.
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Post by sweetie on Aug 15, 2004 17:53:49 GMT -8
Queenie, She is out of her house when she does this. She does not do it when she's inside only outside? It is not the proximity of the cages I am almost positive. It is a new behavior she is exhibiting. I am not sure what you mean when you say Jasper squeaks when groomed because of the smell. Just when I thought I was getting a handle on things LOL  |
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Post by queenofthenile on Aug 15, 2004 18:30:22 GMT -8
Oh, if she is having outside play time, she may just be scared of being in new territory. Or maybe she is trying to call to her mate. I'm really not sure. My gerbils only make this sound when they are grooming each other.
I'll try and explain again what I mean about Jasper. I have added a cage on top of each of my gerbil tanks. It's kind of like an open terrace, if you will. Anyway, my tanks used to be within a foot of each other and now that the gerbs can go up to the second level, they can actually smell each other. When there was no cage on top, only the tank, they couldn't catch each other's scent when inside. Since my gerbs could smell each other across the small gap, Jasper's mate would be grooming him while they were sitting on the 'terrace' and Jasper would be too agitated. Everytime his mate tried to groom him, he would squeak in protest because he smelt the "invaders".
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Post by sweetie on Aug 15, 2004 18:41:22 GMT -8
Now I "see" what you're saying. I really would love to get tanks. In time. Sweetie is probably aggitated too. It is not her setting that has been changed just the fact that she can no longer hide out under the couches!!! I never knew they squeaked when they were aggitated. I thought that they only sqeaked when being aggressive!!  The light bulb just went on LOL can you see it?? HA HA hehe. Her squeaking started exactly the same time I blocked everything off so they could not hide under the furniture or behind the entertainment center. I left a bunch of stuff on the floor for them to hide under but I guess they prefer the couches. Probably since it's harder for me to get them out and put them back in the cages!!! Who said gerbils weren't smart.  Thanks for clarifying the Jasper thing. I may still not have gotten it if you did not. Now it makes perfect sense!! |
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Post by queenofthenile on Aug 15, 2004 19:11:23 GMT -8
Their interaction goes:
Jasper chewing madly on the cage bars.
Logan sidles up the Jasper and rests his torso on Jasper's back.
Jasper is still chewing madly on the cage bars.
Logan tries to groom under Jaspers ear.
Jasper squeaks and squeaks until he finally submits to the grooming session.
It's almost like Jasper saying, "Hey, cut it out, what are you doing? Don't you realize I have better things to do than take a bath right now? We are being attacked!! Oh fine, groom me, see if I care..."
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Post by sweetie on Aug 15, 2004 19:27:02 GMT -8
Oh too much. HAHA HA HA HAHAHAHAHA
I can't stop laughing. If only we could do a third rate dubbed movie with gerbils!! It would be better than Milo & Otis.
Picture is crystal clear now. "Can't you see them trying to kill us Logan", "Look right there and they stink too", "If I must die then at least I shall be clean"
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Post by queenofthenile on Aug 15, 2004 19:35:55 GMT -8
;D Here's a pic with Jasper in action. Sadly I didn't get one with Aspen and Jasper interacting.  |
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Post by crazycritter on Aug 15, 2004 22:23:21 GMT -8
This is off topic, but does your second level have a solid floor, Queen? Mine are all directly on the mesh lid because it makes them easier to clean. I tried putting a cardboard floor, but they peed on it and it got smelly. I put a coroplast floor, and it turned yellow. I had to clean it everyday, and take the entire thing apart. What kind of toys do you put in your second levels? I don't put anything paper because they chew it and throw it onto the floors...
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Post by queenofthenile on Aug 16, 2004 4:59:30 GMT -8
Oooh, I forgot about the pee thing... The upper level is made by screwing the cage to a plywood board with a hole for them to get up into it. So far they haven't really peed up there, but I'll watch it. I do give them cardboard up there, but I had to add little cardboard "bumpers" to prevent all the little bits from getting on the floor. You can kind of see it with the picture of Jasper. As for other toys, I don't really put much else up there. I don't want them to push it down the hole and bonk the other gerbil on the head . So its mostly just cardboard, and a large plastic house because they will have a hard time getting it over the edge because it is odd-shaped and won't fit well through the hole. |
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What's going on with her?
The light bulb just went on LOL can you see it?? HA HA hehe. Her squeaking started exactly the same time I blocked everything off so they could not hide under the furniture or behind the entertainment center. I left a bunch of stuff on the floor for them to hide under but I guess they prefer the couches. Probably since it's harder for me to get them out and put them back in the cages!!! Who said gerbils weren't smart. 