Introducing my gerbils

[Daisy]

Peanut and Emma bonded fairly well. I had them in the split tank for two weeks, which is short for two adult females. Peanut was calm and Emma was intensely curious about Peanut but not aggressive. After two weeks I removed the divider. Peanut was very laid back, but Emma was quite intense. She was following Peanut around, getting in her face, being a bit rude to be honest. Peanut handled it well and she settled down. Emma is 18 months old and apparently had been alone since she was 5 months old after a falling out with her sister, so I think she was probably just overenthusiastic about meeting Peanut and her social skills might have been a bit rusty. Gerbils like Peanut who are calm and unreactive tend to be really good for gerbils like Emma.

After 24 hours I did notice some tension I didn't like the look of and separated them, but after a day I reintroduced them and everything's been fine since.

Emma is extremely friendly and fearless around people.

Here is a video because she doesn't stay still long enough for photos:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Maz]

Really glad they have now settled well together. It's so lovely seeing her climb onto your hand like that

 

[Socks' Mum]

Emma is very sweet

 

[Socks' Mum]

Really glad they have now settled well together. It's so lovely seeing her climb onto your hand like that

I'm assuming gerbils are a bit like hamsters and don't stay still for long

 

[Maz]

I think they are even more fast and active than hamsters, but I've only seen videos

 

[Daisy]

Yes, they're faster than hamsters

 

[Maz]

Do they run more at night as well? As in longer distances?

 

[Daisy]

Do they run more at night as well? As in longer distances?

I find they run much less than hamsters. In the wild they have much smaller territories than hamsters so I guess it makes sense.

They tend to use the wheel in quite short bursts. None of my current gerbils are big wheel-users really. They tend to be more into digging and chewing.

 

[Angel’s Teddybear]

AH she is beautiful!! Such a cutie- makes me want a gerbil HAH

 

[Rescued One]

Unfortunately I very unexpectedly lost Tilly yesterday. She got very ill over the course of a few hours and had to be put to sleep. She was only a few days away from her first birthday.

I'm finding it quite hard. When an elderly pet dies, it's always sad but I find I can accept it as the natural end to a full and happy life. But when they die so young, it feels so unnatural and wrong.

So sorry for your sudden loss! It is harder when it's unexpected

 

[Rescued One]

AH she is beautiful!! Such a cutie- makes me want a gerbil HAH

Careful what you wish for....