ok i have two pet gerbils ( males , 5 and a half weeks old ) and i am in the middle of taming them ( they are still skiddish )but recently one of them has begun to bite me ..... HARD. i am careful with them , they have had plenty of time to adapt to life with out mommy , and they have food\water , and lots of stuff to play with in the cages ( a plastic\wire cage and an aquarium connected by a tube ). but like i was saying i am holding them and out of no where *CHOMP*.... and it bleeds.
things i have tryed
-being paceint ( sorry for bad spelling )
- picking him up more gentlly
-handling him more , then putting him back when he bites
dont even suggest
-using gloves
-taking him back
-anything involving separation
*takes gerbil out*......*CHOMP*....ouch....places him back in the cage with his sweet brother
2007-02-05 12:17:39 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
well how long have you had him?? i'm also in the middle of taming "my boys" and they are actually getting better with friendlyness,(they are about 13 weeks old) and gerbils really shouldn't be biting to the extent of bleeding, so you may just have one with a bad temper.
if his brother is friendly, then i don't think there is much hope.
AND DEFINITELY don't "smack" him, that will just make it worse, be patient, and gentle. good luck!
and you might have gotten him to early from momma, bcuz you REALLY shouldn't be sold gerbils until they are ATLEAST 6 weeks old. but if you bred them then maybe he still need his momma or dad.
2007-02-05 12:24:15 · answer #1 · answered by ferrets4ever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 1/2 weeks? This is too young to be sold or given away, unless you have the mom also and have raised them since birth yourself. As you know they do bite quite a bit. Wash your hands or use sanitizer before handling them. These animals have keen sense of smell. If the smell food they will try to eat the food. You need to give them a lot more time. We raise hamsters and it has taken over a year for one to allow someone other then the main caretaker to hold him. He'd bite the crud out of you. Taking him back is not recommended, but like I said giving him lots of time is the only option. You chose those two and you need to keep trying until they learn to trust you. They are scared little creatures. I suggest getting a book on gerbils if you haven't already. Also these sites might be useful to you.
2007-02-05 13:07:07 · answer #2 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 weeks is the youngest gerbils should be taken from their mother. It can be done as young as 4 weeks, but the pups really benefit from the extra week(s) in the nest, especially if they have younger siblings to help care for.
For your biter, the only reason I would suggest wearing gloves is for your peace of mind and/or safety, if the biting becomes that much of an issue.
Before you handle the gerbils, wash your hands, using the same type of soap each time. This not only gets all food/animal smells off, but gives your hands a particular smell for the gerbils to associate with their caretaker.
When the problem gerbil bites, blow into his face and say "NO" firmly (but don't yell). Handle him for a bit more before putting him back. If you return him to the tank as soon as he bites, he learns to bite whenever he wants to go back.
2007-02-06 07:45:53 · answer #3 · answered by ShootingStar Gerbils 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small rodents like that should be tame when you get them. If I were you, I'd find whoever didn't hold them as babies and slap them across the face because pets should almost allways be handled from day one, excluding cats because I've heard the mom gets mad and.... well, the kitten that smells funny gets rejected.
Anyways, it's weird, but cleaning the cage with him in it may help. That's how I got my mice and chinchillas to like me, or at least feel comfortable. Kinda depends on the cage, though, cuz if it's the kind that is all tubes with a bit of area for food, it'll be tough to keep track of them and clean.
Take it slow, and if it still fails, there's nothing wrong with having an animal you can't cuddle, as long as they have some sort of playmate.
2007-02-05 13:03:52 · answer #4 · answered by mandy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is he probably harm, which contain any broken bones? Did you scare him? Gerbils are in many cases very docile and friendly. i'm specific that he bit you for a stable reason. attempt taking him out with gloves, and working your hands over his physique to experience for any broken bones and such. it could additionally be a stable concept to ask a vet.
2016-10-01 11:55:38 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make a short loud eek sound. most rodents will interpret this as ouch.
2007-02-05 12:59:44 · answer #6 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get ridof them all they do is eat eat and eat!! I hate gerbils!!
2007-02-05 17:07:10 · answer #7 · answered by cowgirl rock 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just be patient, and gentle to it.it will eventually warm up to you.
2007-02-05 12:41:27 · answer #8 · answered by christina h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smack him in the mouth when he bites. Just like you would a dog.
2007-02-05 12:22:12 · answer #9 · answered by fishingbabe8 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
*CHOMP*
2007-02-05 12:21:13 · answer #10 · answered by Michelle 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋