Yup, they seem to do all of this.
I have never seen/heard them thumping, which I presume is a good sign.
They do however struggle quite often when I pick them up. If I put them down
then they would never get used to me handling them, or I would never get
them back in their cage when they've had their run... Am I doing something
wrong? It's not that they are afraid of my hand, cos everytime I pop it in
the cage they are all over it, just that as soon as I try to put it under
them they will instantly leg it. I try to place both hands underneath them
to scoop them up.
Will need to check out their ear positions more...
Thanks hugely,
Stephen
----- Original Message -----
From: Donna Anastasi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: 05 November 2000 04:11
Subject: Re: C: Happy Gerbs
> Hi Stephen, Gerbils exhibit the most varied patterns of behavior, I've
found,
> during introductions when one is a bit defensive and the other is trying
to
> convince the first that he's not a threat. It is a facinating dance of
> trust-building behaviors, ending in grooming/nesting together.
>
> There is also a couple of interesting greeting behaviors when two clanned
> gerbils come togehter after one had been out of the cage; pups often run
after
> a parent and face nuzzle. Then their is grooming, piling on top of each
> other, and generally exhibiting active and curious behavior.
>
> An unhappy gerbil or one that is adjusting to a new environment sticks to
the
> nest box and is still, quiet, and won't come out. Sometimes a nervous
gerbil
> moves in jerky motions. An adult gebil that struggles and squeaks it at
> heightened level of distress; put him down quick! (pups squeak all the
time
> over the least thing).
>
> A happy/relaxed gerbil pops out their head when anything new is added to
the
> tank, checks it out, and gnaws it up.
>
> They stand still on the hind legs and freeze when they see something of
> interest.
>
> Anyways, this is just what I've observed after one year and
twenty-something
> gerbils.
>
> Donna
>
>
>
