Introducing my gerbils

[Daisy]

One thing I find odd is, my Carolina storm wheel is also 10.5” internally but seems smaller and a small Syrian (Raffy was only 90g when he arrived) only just seemed to fit and didn’t run so well in it - so I think it’s the shape and depth of the wheel makes a difference too. The getzoo one seems a better shape for running in despite being the same internal diameter.

I think that's true because the 10 inch Niteangel wheel seems bigger than 10 inches, maybe because it's also quite wide.

 

[Daisy]

Twiglet's expression here says it all!

Gerbil pups of this age tend to be extremely annoying because they constantly want adult attention.

 

[Maz]

It's so sweet

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aww! So adorable.

 

[Daisy]

I think I have two strong personalities here!

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I love how Astra looks round like she's saying, "Did you see that? Pups these days!" Of course, in Astra's day, gerbil pups were perfectly behaved, especially her.

 

[Maz]

The little white pup is so sweet and cheeky - it does remind me of baby hamster behaviour. It's lovely watching them both.

 

[Tulsi]

Ahh I had a lovely gerbil when I was a child. I called her Ginger. She used to climb up my arm and sit on my shoulder.

 

[Maz]

That sounds lovely Tulsi

 

[Daisy]

Ahh I had a lovely gerbil when I was a child. I called her Ginger. She used to climb up my arm and sit on my shoulder.

It's lovely when they do that! Sometimes mine then try to run down my back which is annoying.

Twiglet likes to go up my sleeve.

 

[Daisy]

The new pups are still doing well. Peanut is a very well-behaved gerbil whereas Luna can be rather headstrong, especially now that she's growing into a teenage gerbil.

The gerbils have moved into their permanent homes: two 100cm Bucatstates stacked:


Their bedding and enrichment will be increased gradually. The flying saucers have gone already as the pups have outgrown them and graduatued to the big wheels.

Otis and the two brothers of Luna and Peanut went home successfully bonded.




Astra has been having problems with loose stools this week, which she's never had before. She seems generally well, eating and drinking normally, and running on her wheel, and her weight is stable. I'm wondering whether it could be a reaction to all the changes of the last few weeks. Luna and the other gerbils, and both of my hamsters are fine, so I don't think it's anything contagious.

Normally the gerbils are fed my own food mix, but yesterday I switched Astra and Luna to Science Selective, in case Astra has developed some kind of temporary food intolerance. Since Science Selective is fairly plain and all uniform, it would be like a kind of exclusion diet. Today Astra's stools are still softer than normal, but more formed than they were before, so it's possible that the Science Selective is helping, or it might just be improving on its own.

Astra eating her Science Selective:

 

[Frida]

Is that one of the pups on the wheel in the top enclosure?

 

[RainbowBrite]

Sorry to hear Astra has loose stools. I hope they firm up soon.

Its so lovely to see the gerbils bonds have remained. They are such cute pictures.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Is that one of the pups on the wheel in the top enclosure?

Aw, I just saw that too!

 

[Maz]

This is lovely news. Well done for getting them all bonded The Bucatstate's look very good stacked and you'll be able to have a great view of them. I hope Astra's bowels settle soon. Can gerbils have egg or banana? I've often thought they might bung up a hamster as they do for humans!

Frida, well spotted! I wouldn't have noticed that if you hadn't pointed it out.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I hope her tummy is better soon! She is lucky to have such a good owner!

 

[Doodleham]

I've enjoyed reading this thread and learning about gerbils. They have always fascinated me. I could listen to them for Hours munching away at cardboard. Your Gerbils are beautiful. Hope astras tummy is better soon.

 

[Daisy]

Is that one of the pups on the wheel in the top enclosure?

Yes, that's Luna

 

[Daisy]

This is lovely news. Well done for getting them all bonded The Bucatstate's look very good stacked and you'll be able to have a great view of them. I hope Astra's bowels settle soon. Can gerbils have egg or banana? I've often thought they might bung up a hamster as they do for humans!

Frida, well spotted! I wouldn't have noticed that if you hadn't pointed it out.

Most gerbils (including Astra) don't like egg for some reason. They can be very picky. I don't think she's ever had fresh banana though so I could try that.

 

[Maz]

They are supposed to be "binding". It maybe is just all the changes - hopefully it'll settle down.

 

[Daisy]

Astra seems to be improving on the Science Selective and she's still behaving normally.

I've noticed that Luna has a deformity of her ribcage. She has a pointy bone/cartilage that sticks out of her chest, possibly a pigeon chest? The same deformity is fairly common in Syrian hamsters - I've seen it in them a couple of times so I immediately recognised what it was in Luna - but I had never seen it before in a gerbil. It shouldn't cause her any problems thankfully, it just feels strange.