Yesterday when I looked into the gerbil's cage, I saw the one gerbil eating the other! I have no idea how the gerbil died. I'm just really freaked out that the other gerbil was eating him! When I took the body out, the "cannibal" happily moved out the way and carried on with life as if nothing happened. The body was still soft - so it had happened recently.
We had 2 males living in a cage for about 7 months already. They fought from time to time, but nothing serious - it was more playful. So I don't know if the gerbil just died naturally, or if the "cannibal" actually killed him.
Apart from being in shock, we need to figure this out before my child decides if he wants a replacement gerbil! (i.e. can the "cannibal" be trusted to share his cage? and won't he be lonely now? The 2 of them used to snuggle up together).
2006-12-11 06:59:09 · 11 answers · asked by jaydee 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
buy a dog.... let the gerbil live by its self.....
2006-12-11 07:09:31 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gerbils, hamsters, and other small critters will become cannibals -- even devouring their own young -- when they are living in unnatural conditions. In the wild, do you think two solitary males would choose each other as life-companions in a small, enclosed area?!? Then there is the stress of the incessant handling these fragile creatures are subjected to by a large, foul-smelling predator (humans!)
You may find that two female rodents -- particularly rats -- are somewhat more suitable for this unnatural housing environment. Just make sure that they are BOTH female, and don't take the word of an employee at the pet store! Take them both immediately to the vet, or get adult rodents who are both sexually mature so that any "spare parts" on the alleged female would be descended and visible. Also to keep in mind, two animals need double the living space.
Finally, understand that rodents are a recent (and, in my opinion, unfortunate) addition to man's menagerie of domesticated friends. Whereas dogs are naturally well-suited for family ("pack") living, and cats have been breed for millennia to be affectionate with their caretakers, there are no inherent "pet" characteristics within the genetic makeup of most rodents. They are only used as pets because of their relatively harmless nature and because they are cute. Neither of these traits necessarily make them very good pets.
Again, the best of the rodent bunch in terms of being a "pet" is probably the rat, as they are a bit more intelligent and social, as well as somewhat hardier. Remember, too, that any pet rodent needs a much larger cage than your typical Habitrail-sized environment -- rats do reasonably well in the largest size bunny hutches, and a hamster or gerbil alone needs at least two attached Habitrails at the minimum to prevent boredom, stress and disease.
2006-12-11 07:44:03 · answer #2 · answered by pupsx0r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From my experience breeding rodents I have found that this cannibalistic behavior tends to occur when the adults feel that there are not enough resources to support the growing litter or the group in general (i.e. cage too small, not enough food, not enough water, etc.). They will first eliminate the young (in other words, eat the babies). If there are no young, sometimes the stronger adult(s) will eliminate (i.e. kill&eat) the weakest member of the group. It is a survival instinct designed to keep the population from starving in times of hardship, but can be very disturbing to pet-owners.
Gerbils are more active than hamsters so they need a larger enclosure and slightly more food. They also like to have a food "stash" or surplus available, which will be hidden somewhere in the cage. To keep multiple gerbils you need a cage that measures about 24" by 12" or bigger. Bigger is always better, though not always economical. Give them more than one place to hide, and they also like things to climb on, as it adds surface area to their "world."
And whatever you do, don't let them run low on food or water. Usually when their food stash is running low, you will notice that when you fill their feed dish it will disappear immediately (the animals have moved it to a hiding area somewhere in the cage). If they have enough stashed to be comfortable they will often leave food in the dish until they are ready to use it, eating out of the dish and not using their stash. You should be able to observe this so you know how they are doing on food. Don't dig in the cage for food because if you find it this will upset them and they will want to move it. Water is easy to monitor as you can just watch the level in the bottle.
If they ever feel that (a) there is not enough food to support the population or (b) there is not enough space, then it is likely that someone in the group will get "whacked" in order to cut down on resource consumption. If you can keep their minds at ease about food supply and adequate space, you should have few if any problems with cannibalism.
2006-12-11 07:41:03 · answer #3 · answered by stickboy_127 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never have two males in one cage. They are not play fighting, they were fighting for their right to own the land.
My gerbil had babies and got pregnant again very soon after and had another set of babies, she ate the second set, no sign what so ever that there was a second set of babies the next day. If the Mom gerbil feels that it is to much to care for or that maybe there is not enough of food, she eats them. This is normal from what I hear.
Best of luck
2006-12-11 07:05:11 · answer #4 · answered by Sunflower 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is very common. Gerbils, hamsters...they will turn cannibal with their dead babies and dead companions. I believe it is their way of keeping their living area clean....the other gerbil probably died of "natural causes" not from fighting since they had not had serious issues in the past.
2006-12-11 07:04:28 · answer #5 · answered by rugbee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mine did this too when I was little. I think it's something with having two males in a cage together. Once they reach maturity they attack. Again I'm not sure, but it freaked the crap out of me when I was a kid.
2006-12-11 07:36:59 · answer #6 · answered by auequine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that Satan posessed the living gerbal and he tore it apart with the super powers given by the dark lord. I suggest you get rid of the living gerbal. He won't be easy to kill however. Good Luck
2006-12-11 07:37:54 · answer #7 · answered by elton f 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
scary wasn't it? that is normal behavior for a gerbil. mine ate all of it's children! it's a weird sight to see, I've never owned another one. it was a mean pet any way.
2006-12-11 07:02:26 · answer #8 · answered by The Key Master 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Males will almost always eat the young... and a mother will eat the young if they believe them to be in danger.
and sometimes they just do that...
2006-12-11 07:02:01 · answer #9 · answered by J-Rod on the Radio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gerbils do that from time to time.... freaky I know. They even will eat there babies if they think danger is afoot.
2006-12-11 07:02:03 · answer #10 · answered by Mysterious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋