He's pretty young, and we've only had him a few days, and he wants to come out and see us when we're near the cage, but he won't come out of his tube unless we move the wood chips around. Then he gets mad. He seems to be hungry. If we offer him food when he comes out, he grabs it and runs back in to eat it. I don't think he's had any water either... spends his whole life in the tube. Should I take the tube out? or will this stress him out too much? What should I do? we'd like to see our gerbil.
2007-01-15 04:07:16 · 11 answers · asked by pambetteridge 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
hi
I've had gerbils since i was little and think they are a very fascinating creature to watch... if you haven't had your little guy that long then just give him time to get used to his surroundings... simply offer him food from the palm of your hand not finger tips that way he has to make contact with you each time he receives a treat and will associate you as a good thing.. as for the tube thing my gerbils have always loved them so please don't remove it once he knows his home is a safe one and you are not a threat he will come out more and they tend to be more adventurous if there are more than one as they usually live in big groups, you will probably notice as well that he will constantly cover his food bowl with bedding and water if its in a bowl. this is simply because in the wild they will cover all traces of themselves due to predators and never quite get the idea that there aren't any where they are but its second nature to them... all ill say is be patient give your gerbil lots and lots of bedding and toys as they love to make tunnels and dens plenty of gentle human contact and quite simply sit back and enjoy.
2007-01-15 04:29:57 · answer #1 · answered by itsbimby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lol
You shouldn't have given him the paper towel roll that early until he gets used to his cage.
You should take the tube out and put one of tose little see through shelters in the cae so he can sleep and hangout in there. There are cages with little hangouts at the top and my gerbil LOVES it and we can just pop off the top and take him out whenever we want to! It is normal if he takes alot of wood shavings up there cuz it is kind of like a bed to him! Here is a picture of a cage that has it.
http://www.aquatic-marvels.com/media/superpet/Crittertrail%20Y%202.jpg
2007-01-15 04:23:07 · answer #2 · answered by .::emma::. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe buy a small cave for him to stay in but don't disturb him to much and move it around because them he might feel like he's not safe. maybe also if you're feeling crafty measure the width and highth (excuse the spelling) of the cage and make a little shelter that takes up halif of the cage but only have 3 walls and a ceiling keep the front open so you can still see him. sprinkle the bottom with wood shaving and newspaper shreds so he can have a comfertable place to sleep.
Hope This helps!
2007-01-15 04:16:13 · answer #3 · answered by bootylicous 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He will not starve to death. They like those thing, buy a cage that has the tubes built in and they are clear so you can see him, also try putting him in a gerbil ball it is clear and he can roll around the house. Usually they sleep all day anyway and are up all night so its normal not to see them
2007-01-15 04:13:52 · answer #4 · answered by imdachef2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no...leave the tube....it is security for him...remember he is an animal...he has not figured out yet that you love him and wont hurt him. he is drinking water...dont worry...just keep doing what you have been...he will eventually trust you and his new surroundings enough to not stay in the tube all the time
2007-01-15 04:12:37 · answer #5 · answered by outofmymind 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a million. An grownup gerbil will on huge-unfold weigh 2 a million/2 oz. and be approximately 4 inches from tip of nostril to base of tail. specific you have toddler gerbs. 2. purely like human beings are not born understanding a thank you to trip bicycles, gerbils are born understanding a thank you to apply a wheel. they're involved in it and can or won't discover ways to apply it. I had purely one gerbil ever who mandatory preparation because of the fact she mandatory workout and purely wasn't going close to it. After a number of nights and a variety of of persistence, she found out. 3. listed under are some assistance for gerbil bonding: - in the event that they have foodstuff of their mouth or seem to be eating, leave them on my own. you do not desire them to view you as any sort or threat. - attempt to not startle or marvel them. they're already hyper little creatures and you like them to be as calm on your presence as they're with one yet another. - communicate over with them lots. They know voices and could come to renowned yours particularly properly. additionally they learn instructions and words truly properly. - do not enable absolutely everyone else carry them. You OTOH might desire to hold them as much as conceivable. The extra you cope with them the extra mushy they are going to experience. additionally they mellow with age. - do not tension something different than dealing with. while a gerbil eats out of the palm of my hand that's because of the fact he felt it replace into risk-free. they are going to continuously run away. :) those legs have been made for leaping and working. that's like having upload - they are in a position to't stay centred long and have an interest in each and every thing. they are going to mellow and get tamer with age. 4. purely rejoice with them! discover out what they prefer and do unlike. Frozen cheese, tomatoes, beans. stumble on their personalities. replace their toys around. swap toys out. Carboard something for shredding and chewing blocks because of the fact they might desire to maintain those enamel filed down. they prefer lavatory paper and paper towel tubes.
2016-10-07 04:50:24 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mine dones that too, ever since we gave him a paper towel roll we never see him. but he is fine, they are marsupials so they are up at night, dont panic thinking he is dead or sick he eats at night. my hamster, when we clean his cage we find food and seeds all piled up in the tube.♥
2007-01-15 04:13:11 · answer #7 · answered by Kayyyy&♥; 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my gerbils really don't hide in the tube that much, evn my shy one, they just chew it up, but maybe you should put more stimulation in it's cage, or maybe a tissue box, they love those!
Best of luck!!
2007-01-15 07:29:58 · answer #8 · answered by ferrets4ever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its winter and they have a tenancy to stay curled up more than in the summer months--and he needs to adjust to his new home so he is just feeling safe for now--don't take his safe spot from him
2007-01-15 04:14:32 · answer #9 · answered by skizzle-d-wizzle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get him a glass jar to hang out in... he is trying to hide..he needs a place to nest.
2007-01-15 04:12:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋