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Post by hskillett on Jun 29, 2005 14:38:51 GMT -8
I just got two cute little gerbils from petco and keep them in a 20 gallon aquarium. I use fine shavings of aspen and I've given them about 8cm or so. I also have some cardboard boxes and tubes and what not...
So...I was wondering why my gerbils aren't chewing that much. They've been with the cardboard for a good 5 days and barely have chewed it at all. My friend's gerbils chewed like maniacs, but I never saw them when they were young. My two gerbils, Otto and Scooter, are probably about 6 weeks along, still pretty small. They hardly even use the tubes. Will this change at all? Will they start chewing more? What other things may change as the gerbils grow to full size?
Thanks a lot for your input!
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Post by callimico on Jun 29, 2005 14:46:40 GMT -8
congrats on your new gerbils, what are their names?
yes they'll chew more as they grow more confident in their surroundings. Whenever I bought a young pup to a new home it took them a week or so to get adjusted to their new environment and begin chewing a lot again.
Are you using TP rolls? If it's harder cardboard they may not chew it until they're larger.
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Post by meganb52 on Jun 29, 2005 16:42:58 GMT -8
When my gerbs were smaller, they didn't chew as much either. They still have different personalities when it comes to toys. My one girl loves to run on the wheel. My other one loves to chew cardboard, but won't run on the wheel. Funny creatures, those gerbils re!
-Megan
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Post by hskillett on Jun 30, 2005 3:14:03 GMT -8
Yeah, i hope they do start destroying that cardboard because I love watching them do that. I have some tp rolls and a couple of really thin cardboard boxes in their cage. They did tear apart a pine cone overnight though which I was surprised about:) I bought a little black gerbil named Otto and a small agouti named Scooter. They are both boys and they are both adorable. I had them on my bed last night and they both eventually snuggled down under my arm after they were tired of running around. It was neat!
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 30, 2005 6:20:13 GMT -8
hskillett, welcome here! My young pups did also not chew on the cardboard tubes. When they became older, they did start! There is not much change. Maybe that they become less affraid of things and people. And when they become real old they might sleep more.
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Post by gerbilsrgreat on Jul 6, 2005 20:06:04 GMT -8
Hi hskillett!
Welcome to the forum! It's great to have you here!
About the chewing, my gerbils when they were young hardly chewed but as they've gotten older, they chew a lot more. I think it might have something to do with their teeth growing more or something, or like the others mentioned, they get more comfortable with their surroundings and then discover the joys of chewing!
Anyway, good luck with your gerbils and we love pictures so I'm hoping you post some!
-Jeremiah
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Post by malabui on Jul 8, 2005 13:44:35 GMT -8
Changes though age. Yes gerbils will change
-When they are young they are more likely to chew wood
-They'll generally not like their greens (doesn't this sound like humans?)
-They'll chew cardboard more effectily than a papershredder and try and 'decorate' your room with it (don't ask!), but then they get to a few years they may go off it
-They'll learn easier how to use a wheel (a good thing to teach them so they don't get fat due to lack of exercise later in life). If you try to teach them how to use it later in life the'll do everything with it EXCEPT for exercise)
-They are easier to train to come out and sit on your hand when younger
-When they are older they may guard your room
-Their tastes in music change as they grow
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