How do I know if my 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.
What happens when gerbils fight?
Gerbils will often play-fight by boxing and chasing each other and squeaking. These behaviors are fine but if serious fighting occurs, you need to separate them. A serious fight usually involves a gerbil forming a tight ball and rolling around, squeaking shrilly, biting at each other’s necks, and often, blood is drawn.
How do you deal with gerbils fighting?
If your gerbils are fighting, watch them closely. Gerbils can make a lot of noise, but if you see that one gerbil draws the blood of another, then you need to separate them temporarily – you’ll need to use gloves to do this in case their teeth catch you.
How can you tell which gerbil is dominant?
Dominant gerbils scent mark more, and can even scent mark other gerbils. They arch their backs to appear bigger, and squeak more frequently and loudly at other gerbils. They will box and wrestle other gerbils that challenge them, and will get into regular fights.
Can two gerbils live in the same cage?
Because of the social nature of gerbils, the ASPCA recommends housing a minimum of two of them together. Units of more than two females together may fight, and aggressively so, so always be cautious when planning gerbil living arrangements.
Can you keep a gerbil in a glass tank?
A glass aquarium makes the perfect home for your pet gerbils because it keeps them safe and secure inside, it is easy to clean, and the gerbils can’t chew on the sides.
How long should a gerbil be in a ball?
A Word of Caution You should always supervise your hamster while he is playing in his ball. He should not be left in the ball for more than 30 minutes, as there is no way to provide water within the ball and he could become overheated from the exercise.