scared of me

[ruf]

my gebil is scared of me when ever I open his cage he runs in a corne and tries to barry him self,when ever I walk past he barries hims self. I had him for a while and it still cant pick him up.

does any one have any suggestionson what to do for him?

[j]

Do you only have 1 gerbil?

Gerbils are social and need to be kept in groups. They feel safer with other gerbils around. They act skittish like that when they're alone.

[ruf]

yes I only have one gerbil

should I buy anotherone and try to see if they get along.

[callimico]

Yes, that's a great idea. How long have you had your current gerbil? Males are really easy to introduce to each other, but you should use the split cage method, just to be safe. It's basically dividing the tank in two, (the divider has many holes in it so they can see and smell each other) with a gerbil on each side, once they're use to one another they can be left together.
THis site www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/adopt.html#split
tells you about the split cage method
This one has some more information, and if you click on the picture on the left, it shows you how to build your own divider step by step, or you can make do with something similar.
homepage.mac.com/kyleekay/tip-of-the-week/tip070403.html

What do you have in the tank with your gerbil, ie:which toys, what kind of bedding, etc? Try putting some sunflower seeds in your hand and just sit by the tank with your hand resting on the litter. It may take a few minutes but when your gerbil comes over to sniff your hand, don't move just talk to him softly, and eventually he should eat out of your hand. Don't try to grab him or hold him, just let him get used to your scent. Eventually you can try lifting your hand up alittle, (don't try to cup your hand(s) around him) and then back down. When he's used to your hand moving he should come to enjoy being handled because he'll know it means a trip out of the cage.

Try to get another male 5-6 weeks old, that will make the introduction easier, breeders are most likely to have pups this age. Good luck!! ;D

[ruf]

I have had my gerbil for about a year.
My gerbil is a female, I've just acceidentally kept typing in he.
In my cage I have a wheel, woodhouse, and I give her toilet paper rolls. The bedding I started giving her was pine but I heard that it's bad and am going to change it.

[sweetie]

Hey Ruf,

I would suggest getting a young female pup (preferrably from a breeder) for her and proceed with the split cage like J had talked about. If you have time, you can read some posts in the introducing section of the Forum.