If two or three tries with the divided cage trick doesn’t stop the fighting, they may never get along.
If the gerbils fight, go back to the divided cage stage and repeat. Watch for 20 minutes, wearing leather gloves, so that the gerbils can be separated if fighting occurs. Once the gerbils appear curious and not aggressive to each other, the divider can be removed (about 3 days, usually). Several times a day, swap the gerbils from side to side, so that the gerbils get used to each others’ scent. 
Place one gerbil in each side of the divider. Get a divided cage, or use a cage within a cage, to allow the gerbils to see and smell each other with no contact. It is best to keep a group of similarly aged gerbils that are raised together from a young age, but if you need to introduce older gerbils, try and follow this advice: If you have a single gerbil, or if one of a pair dies, it can be very difficult to introduce a new gerbil, especially mature gerbils, i.e. Young gerbils in the wild are sent off to find their own territories, so family groups may begin fighting as the babies mature. Some gerbils, however, just cannot seem to get along. Often, one animal will appear distressed and loud high pitched squeaks may be heard, and the behaviour appears more intense and violent than play. Some gerbils will fight, although this is sometimes difficult to distinguish from the play wrestling or boxing behaviour commonly exhibited. Your gerbils will be much happier if kept at least in pairs (same sex unless you plan to breed, which requires a lot more care). 
They will also groom one another, sleep in piles, and cuddle together. Gerbils love to play, chasing each other around, wrestling and boxing. However gerbils tend to be frightened of large open spaces, but once they get used to it they will love playing in a run that contains lots of toys, such as boxes, flowerpots, drain pipes and logs. You could also provide an extra run for your gerbil so he can get extra exercise when you are about.
Gerbils prefer to sleep separately at night, so you need to make sure each gerbil has their own nesting areas. Ideally the cage will have two levels and two compartments so they can use one for the day and one to nest and hide in at night-time. Plastic and wooden cages do not hold up very well to the gerbils’ chewing habits. If an aquarium is used, a ventilated lid will be necessary because gerbils can jump very well!Ī wire cage with fairly narrow wire spacing will also work well. The larger the tank the nicer it will be for your gerbils, allowing them more space to run around in and for creativity with furnishings and toys. A pair of gerbils don’t require a huge amount of space, but a tank of approximately 75 x 40 x 30cm will give them enough room to run about in and plenty of space to put in lots of toys.
0 kommentar(er)
