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Post by meganb52 on May 31, 2005 18:01:53 GMT -8
So I have been introducing my gerbils to each other for short amounts of time each day, supervised of course, but not in a split cage (haven't had the time to head to the hardware store; lots of exams this week!!) They seem to be doing ok, there haven't been any fights or anything, but I've noticed what I see as dominant behavior from one of my gerbs. Gizmo, an ~11 week old spotted nutmeg female, will come over to Moguai, an ~8 week old spotted siamese female, and sort-of "bite" Moguai's head. It isn't like an attack, she just seems to hold Mog's head in her mouth and Mog just sits there and squaeks. Then Gizmo will run away and go chew on a toilet paper roll and Moguai sits in a corner. They have been introduced in Gizmo's cage, which hasn't been cleaned recently. I'm guessing it's dominant/territorial behavior on Gizmo's part, but do you guys think it may be a sign of worse things to come? I plan on starting to split cage them this weekend or early next week in a nice clean cage.
Thanks a ton, -Megan
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Post by meganb52 on Jun 2, 2005 6:08:47 GMT -8
UPDATE-I let the girls spend the night together last night, and Gizmo seemed dominant. Should I let them work it out? She doesn't seem like she's being violent, but I also don't want Moguai to get overly stressed. They slept in the same nest together, so I'm guessing that's a good sign. Anyone with comments or suggestions PLEASE let me know
-Megan
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Post by whitmoregirl on Jun 2, 2005 7:55:56 GMT -8
It does sound as though Gizmo is the more dominant one - and if you're introduving them to one another on her territory that's probably why. Try them in Moguai's cage if she is the more submissive one, and good luck with the split caging
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Post by meganb52 on Jun 2, 2005 10:56:14 GMT -8
when they spent the night together, they were in Moguai's cage, and Giz was still being dominant. I got home this afternoon though, and the seem to be doing fine. I guess thy just had to work out the whole "pecking order" thing...
-Megan
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Post by whitmoregirl on Jun 3, 2005 3:50:28 GMT -8
I hope they've sorted themselves out now then
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