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Why are my gerbils fighting each other?
Gerbils are social animals and play fighting with each other is a natural and important behavior that happens. When they play fight they are establishing a special kind of hierarchy within the pair or clan. It’s important because it creates order and it’s also a gerbil way of playful affection.
What do you do with an aggressive gerbil?
Helping A Gerbil Become Less Aggressive
- Give them treats and toys from your hand.
- Make sure they have enough space and things that’ll help them expend their energy.
- Minimize loud noises.
- Try introducing them to other gerbils.
- Use the split cage method if they’re aggressive with other gerbils.
How do you get gerbils to like each other?
Put the two gerbils on either side of a split cage, with a see-through divider down the middle. You then swap them from side to side each day. This gets each gerbil used to the other’s smell. When they seem curious and happy with each other, remove the divider.
How do you tame an aggressive gerbil?
Continue feeding him other treats from your hand (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts..) and while he’s eating them, pet him very gently and talk to him, or make comforting sounds. I know it sounds dumb, but gerbils really do like it when you talk to them.
How do you tell if your gerbils are fighting?
To recognize when your gerbils are play fighting, look for the following signs:
- Gerbils chasing each other. Playful chasing is quite slow and non-aggressive.
- Jumping. The gerbils will hop around together side-by-side or one following the other.
- Boxing.
- Wrestling.
How long can gerbils be separated for?
Once the gerbils appear curious and not aggressive to each other, the divider can be removed (about 3 days, usually). Watch for 20 minutes, wearing leather gloves, so that the gerbils can be separated if fighting occurs.
Is it normal for gerbils to fight each other?
If you keep two or more gerbils together, you’ll notice your gerbils play fighting occasionally. This is normal behavior and completely harmless. Real gerbil fighting is rare, but it can be dangerous if you don’t intervene. Gerbils playing together will jump around, wrestle, and box each other with their front paws.
When does a female gerbil mate after giving birth?
After giving birth, the female will be ready to mate again. Mating can happen immediately before mating, or even during as well as after. The female will then go through the same process, creating eggs ready to be fertilized. The cycle begins again. Once the female has given birth, it will prepare a nest for the pups.
Why do gerbils breed with the dominant pair?
Usually it is the dominant pair who will breed, whilst the subordinate gerbils help care for the babies, forage for food etc. The dominant female produces hormones that tend to suppress the fertility of the other adult females in the burrow.
Why are gerbils a good pet for kids?
Gerbils are great pets for kids to keep because they introduce children to animals and teaches them a little bit about responsibility. Gerbils are gregarious creatures that don’t like to live on their own so the chances are you’ve got a couple or more of them which you keep in the one environment.