>One of the greys is constantly licking my hand. Is this thirst, or is he
>just exploring by mouth?
Or they're after minerals like salt.
>I've seen the others licking other things. In their previous place they
>didn't have a water bottle, but a pot with water in it. But this licking
>is nearly an half an hour after we bought them, so I don't reckon it's
>becoase they are thirsty.
If they are using the water bottle, then it could be they're after minerals
or something else they're lacking. Otherwise...take a mister and
give the glass a very light shot in a small spot. If they go after that
eagerly, they're after water and not used to the idea yet of the
waterbottle.
If they persist, do get a mineral block or wheel (the cheapest you
can find) and offer that. They may very well just chew it up in minutes,
but at least they were offered what they might be missing. I find the
feed I offer takes care of any mineral cravings as it is very well balanced.
I don't use mineral blocks because they are a waste of $ as the gerbils
usually just chew them right up and leave them in chunks.
>We are trying to connect two ten gallon aquariums, so they have enough
>space when they get bigger. Is there anything else I have forgotten to
>do? Please tell me!
One ten gallon tank is large enough for three gerbils...although I prefer
using a 15 or 20 gallon tank. Connecting the two, allows space for
them to 'hide' in and develop territories over. Better to keep them in
the one 10 gallon or get a larger tank.
Besides, the tubing and that allows more chances for them to gnaw
their way out and escape... [my opinion and seemingly bore out
by the number of escape attempts I've thwarted and tubing and
cage tops I've thrown away]
>Thanks for letting me be over-excited!
:) New gerbies are always exciting....
>I have a question: In that shop, they had biological grown hemp-bedding,
>without pesticides. Is this good for gerbils? I'm on pine now, I think,
>from which I know it's not good for such young animals. I had never
>problems with it before, but I don't want to push it.
Hemp has fibers and I tend to shy away from anything with fibers.
Try to use carefresh or some other recycled paper bedding. I get what
looks like old mushmances and phonebooks that have been run through
something that turns them into small soft edged ripped chunks. It is not
as odor controlling but they seem to like it. It makes good nesting
bedding as well. My hubby developed allergies to the pine I used
about a year and a half ago when I had only hamsters, and I switched
to this stuff. The gerbils have liked it a lot.
>THANKS
>Sarah
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
