Gerbils are naturally fearful of anything that comes from above- in petting
their back, an area where they can't necessarily see, you are touching them
where they would most likely be swooped up by a bird of prey from above. It
is their instinct to run and hide. Aside from that, gerbils really don't
sit still to be petted- their curiosity gets the better of them and their
crawling and climbing around to see what's new.
Jill
----------
> From: Timbit - <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Help with Timbit
> Date: Monday, April 16, 2001 9:26 AM
>
> Thank you all for all the help. Yes, I guess I expected to much from my
> little friend. I guess affection isn't the right word for gerbils. More
to
> dog and cats. But I still have one question, Do gerbils not like to be
> petted or is it just mine? Timbit will happily jump on my hand but when
I
> take my hand slowly to pet him and then lightly stroke his back gently,
he
> jumps of in a panic runs back to his house. I let him smell my hand
before
> I pet him but he still gos to hide in his home.
>
> Diana Releen
>
>
> >From: Jill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >Subject: Re: Help with Timbit
> >Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 00:08:13 -0400
> >
> >Often the best way to see the affection gerbils are capable of showing
is
> >to house them with a gerbil friend (same sex unless your intention is to
> >breed). Although they may not be able to meet human emotional needs,
when a
> >pair of gerbils is bonded they are very affectionate with each other-
> >cuddling, snuggling, grooming. They are not solitary animals by nature
and
> >I have found that often they are more responsive and friendlier to their
> >human caretakers when they have a friend- if only because their life in
> >general is happier.
> >Jill
> >
> >
> >----------
> > > From: Timbit - <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > Subject: Help with Timbit
> > > Date: Sunday, April 15, 2001 9:15 PM
> > >
> > > I bought my very first gerbil on Thursday and brough him to his new
> >home.
> > > My family and I laughed as this little cutie ran madly around his new
> >hom
> > > with tubes, wheels and other toys, yet still having lots of room to
run.
> > > Letting our new friend "Timbit" get used his new home we left him for
a
> >few
> > > hours. Later we decided that we should try to make him unafraid of
us.
> > > Now, he isn't afraid of us anymore but he treats humans as if were
not
> > > alive. Like were stepping stones and he shows us no affection. Are
all
> > > gerbils like this? Will Timbit grow out of it and relized were his
> >family?
> > > Is there some way to make him a little more affectionate?
> > >
>
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