I have two gerbils. They have always gotten along fine. This morning when I went downstairs, I realized that one of my gerbils was chasing the other one. Then Fred would stop and chew on some cardboard while Barney ran on the wheel. As soon as the wheel stopped though, Fred shot right at Barney. Barney seems to be very scared now. If I even try to pick him up he won't let me catch him. Sometimes you will see them staring each other like they're having a stair-down and then they will start chasing each other again. I will sometimes hear loud squeaks too. Is this gerbil aggression or a new way of playing?
2007-11-29 22:28:16 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Yes. This is male fighting. As they grow mature they start to fight. If you ever catch them fighting throw a towel over them to make them stop. Don't try seperating them with your hands or you could get bitten while doing so. They stare at eachother until one of them cracks then the one who usually wins the " stare down" is the one who chases the other. They also open their mouths to show thier big teeth to scare the other one off! Seperate them in different cages.
2007-11-29 22:38:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like Fred is bullying Barney, it may have started as a dispute over food and territory and has escalated. If you can, put Barney in a spare cage and see how he behaves on his own. If he lets you pick him up he will be feeling more confident about contact. Barney may not want to be picked up as Fred may have bitten him and you can't see them under his fur, so it may hurt him to be picked up, consequently he runs away from you. The loud squeaks sounds like fighting and cries of pain. I've had the same situation with my guinea pigs and had to separate them due to bullying. Good luck!
2007-11-30 06:35:16 · answer #2 · answered by Seaside Sweetheart 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my guess in neither. it sounds to me like one of your 'male' gerbils are really 'female'. rodents often have mis-interpreted genders.
that, or it could be it is mating season, so they could be fighing b/c they are trying to prove they're position as male rodents. go to your local vet if it continues.
2007-11-30 06:34:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
seperate them,,,without a doubt
2007-11-30 06:31:44 · answer #4 · answered by E S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋