We recently got 2 gerbils. We got 1 early in the day and went back for a friend for #1. Before we got #2, #1 let us hold her and play with her. Now they both run away when we reach in the cage and one even bit me so hard I bled and have a bruise. Any ideas why?
2007-05-08 18:43:37 · 7 answers · asked by dmnardini 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Maybe they hate you. lol No, really... it could be anything. Not sure.
2007-05-08 18:54:50 · answer #1 · answered by cutesy76 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, it's really rare for a gerbil to bite. She must have been very scared.
Do they have a house to go into where they will feel safe? Do they have a wheel? Gerbils LOVE a wheel!
Leave them alone for a day or two, let them get used to their new home. Then just put your hand in the cage without trying to pick them up, let them get used to YOU. Finally, try to GENTLY pick them up again. Hopefully it will go better this time.
Some gerbils never learn to like being held. If your gerbils aren't very young, you may have a hard time taming them. You did the right thing getting a friend -- gerbils NEED to be with other gerbils.
If they are young, handle them a LOT. It's the only way to get them used to it!
There is one other thing -- the girl that bit you might be pregnant. If she is, don't panic, she knows what to do! Try to keep her from getting stressed -- if she's stressed she will kill the babies. If you see babies, buy a book or call the pet store for advice -- or post about it here. You can handle the babies when they are 3 days old, just be careful, Mom might be protective. The more you handle them the tamer they will be.
If it happens that your gerbils don't like to be handled, you can still enjoy them. Make mazes and tunnels -- gerbils LOVE to dig! Play with them on the bed, let them crawl on you. Just don't pick them up too often.
I hope this helps!
2007-05-08 19:03:37 · answer #2 · answered by luvrats 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
acceptable, at the starting up you've in hassle-free words had her for an afternoon so leave her for a pair more effective days so she will calm down and get used to her new ecosystem. once you're waiting to carry her merely position you hand in the cage and bury it truly in the bedding, enable her move slowly over it and if she nibbles do not take your hand away. then you definitely can slowly attempt to get her after some tries at this by cupping both fingers in the cage, letting her move slowly into them and then carry them up slowly. if she jumps out, merely attempt back!!! i desire this helps! and that you've a effective existence together with your new gerbil and that i understand you'll have many relaxing years jointly!
2016-11-26 20:59:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't expect them to love you right away. It's going to take some time for them to get used to, and trust you. Our hamster was terrified of us when we first got her, but after awhile of caring for and slowly starting to hold her, the hamster will just law in my gf's hand and let her stroke and sooth her. A Gerbil is the same way; they need some time to build up their trust for you.
Don't just go and try to pick up the gerbil; put a treat in your hand and have the gerbil come take it from you. Eventually, if you do this enough, it will just climb right up into your hand to get the treat and start to be comfortable with you.
2007-05-09 03:27:08 · answer #4 · answered by BravesWings 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably stressed from all the changes. Give them time, what I did with my hamsters, I would have a small piece of a veggie and just hold it through the cage. I'd have to drop it in at first. Eventually they started trusting me, and would inch closer and closer, then snag it out of my hand. Then eventually reach in and while they're eating start petting them on the head(carefully) or their back. That way they'll get used to you. I only have one now, but when I walk by his cage, he's sitting there begging like the dogs......and we can hold him wihtout him biting or pooping in our hands lol.
2007-05-08 18:49:09 · answer #5 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have gotten a male gerbil and they set up territorial boundaries. He is protecting his turf.
2007-05-08 18:48:48 · answer #6 · answered by Teacher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible someone or something scared them before you visited them again. Which ends in the result of them biting anyone who tries to touch them
2007-05-08 18:47:25 · answer #7 · answered by Muse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋