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Gerbil Nature and Behaviors
Nature
The Gerbil's nature is very lively. They are full of energy, very inquisitive, and truly a rodent. They are very intelligent and love to explore their surroundings. Each gerbil has its own personality, likes, and dislikes as well. They are quite fearless and dont stay in one spot very long. Always running, climbing, sniffing, and sticking their head into things! Nothing can escape their chewing teeth which are constantly growing and need to be worn down. In the wild gerbils live under ground so they also love to dig! Because of their nature gerbils should always be provided with something to do because a busy gerbil is a happy gerbil! :) A gerbil makes a great pet as long as you are a great owner so if you understand them then you can bond to them even closer!
Behavior
Some common gerbil behaviors:
Thumping
Gerbils make a rhythmic sound with their two back legs called thumping. They do this when either alarmed, or mating. Alarm thumping is like their alarm system. In the wild a "look-out" usually sees danger and warns the others by thumping, and it is the same way in captivity. One gerbil will thump and the others will duck for cover or freeze and listen. Mating thumping though it sounds like Alarm thumping sounds alittle different and thus is ignored by the other gerbils.
Grooming
Grooming like it sounds is the way gerbils keep clean but it is also used for another purpose, to show dominance. In every cage of gerbils there is the dominant gerbil and a submissive gerbil. The dominant one always grooms the sumissive one first. when two gerbils are first intodruced using the Split Cage Method grooming takes place immediately after the introduction to chose the dominate one. Grooming also makes the gerbil feel like it is accepted and part of the family.
Agression/Fighting
Like thumping there are two kinds of agression. One is play fighting or rough housing, which is harmless. The other is serious fighting or death fighting, which results in either serious injuy or death. Rough housing is usually done by pups to give them something to do when they are bored. They punce and punch and altimately end up grooming. Serious fighting looks like the two gerbils turn into a ball and start biting and drawling blood from each other. This happens when two gerbils arent introduced properly or when the social order of the cage is compromised. Groups of females are notorious for fighting so females should really only be kept in pairs! The same thing can happen to a group if males as well but it is more rare. I also have experienced a group of females fight for dominance (luckily I got there in time and there was no serious injury) so basically any pair or group can fight. To avoid this you should always avoid putting them into places previously occupied by other gerbils that hasnt been washed and still smells like the other gerbils. Also check your gerbils daily for signs of fighting like bit marks or bald areas. With gerbils its better safe then sorry. If fighting occurs the gerbils should be separated at once. You can try the Split Cage Method later on after injuries heal. Always wash your hands between, before, and after holdings of different gerbils!!!
Scent Marking
Scent Marking is when a gerbil uses its secent gland to mark their home territory. A scent gland is a bald spot on a gerbils stomach that gives off a uniquie scent. Each gerbil has their own scent and this is the way a gerbil recognizes who is a friend and who is an enemy! The gerbils simply sniff each others belly to see who they are or in some cases if they are willing to mate. Your gerbils will rub their stomach all over everything that is theirs. In the wild it tells other strange gerbils to stay away or else! It is very cute to watch because they took like they are pretending to be little snakes! Gerbils is also scent mark each other to show dominace. It looks like mating but it isnt so dont worry if you see your same sexed pair scent marking each other! The dominant one is just letting the submissive one know that he/she is the boss!
Digging
Gerbils love to dig by nature and especially love to dig in corners. Most people think that their gerbil is unhappy and trying to get out, but in fact it is know as "sterotyped digging". It is perfectly normal and shouldnt be worried about.
Nesting/Sleeping
A nest is very important to gerbils. It is where they sleep. A nest is made out of any materials that can be found in the cage. The materials are shredded into tiny pieces and carried to one corner of the cage. There is is put into a large pile which will be hollowed out and slept in. All the gerbils in the cage cooperate in the building of the nest and each are each given a job. I think the attitude is if you want to sleep in it then you better help make it! :) The nest will be rebuilt after each time the cage is cleaned out so dont worry about removing it. The nest in a breeding pairs cage is also where the pups are born and keep til they are old enough to explore on their own.
Gerbils sleep in piles! This behavior goes back to the Mongolian insticts. Mongolia has were harsh winters and very cold nights. Thus a nice warm nest is very appreciated. Every gerbil in the cage sleeps in the nest sometimes on top of other gerbils. This doesnt bother them at all though. They sleep very deeply and about every four hours or so. When they wake they slowly crawl out of the nest and stretch and yawn which is very cute to watch!
Chewing
Gerbil's teeth are constantly growing and need to be worn down alot every day. To do this they chew on what every they can get their paws onto. This includes wood, metal, plastic, & card board! If a gerbil is has nothing to chew them the teeth will be over grown and make it impossible for the gerbil to eat or drink and thus giving it a death sentence. This is true for all rodents. I always make sure to give my gerbils a card board box per day and make sure to have a wooden toy in each cage. Gerbils also can break a tooth and make it hard to chew, eat, & drink. When this happens feed your gerbil soft things to eat like babyfood, oatmeal, applesause, etc. The tooth grows back quickly and it will be fine in about a week!
Mating
When two gerbils are mating they chase each other around the cage, thump, and mount. They do this during the early in the morning or late at night. The male will mount the female several times. After each mount the male will check himself. If they both check themselves then they were successful.
*If I missed any behaviors you have questions about please email me at babykates927@hotmail.com and I will make sure to add it!
Email: babykates927@hotmail.com
