I posted a question on here the other day about my gerbils fighting. If you have a single gerbil, or if one of a pair dies, it can be very difficult to introduce a new gerbil, especially mature gerbils, i.e. Also, given that your gerbils are older, perhaps one has a health issue that is making him smell different. Platforms move in random directions, but you never want to fall off the bottom of the screen. The gerbils may also chase each other, but rather than playing, they’re trying to bite each other. Play fighting goes on frequently among gerbils, especially pups. You can hold the gerbil as part of the play session or give it toys to play with in a contained area outside of its cage. If you have a single gerbil, or if one of a pair dies, it can be very difficult to introduce a new gerbil, especially mature gerbils, i.e. You may have to introduce them to other pets slowly, but everything works out fine in … Gerbils are very sociable creatures and generally they live in peace and harmony. Male gerbils have a large, dark scrotum and a longer anogenital distance than females. greater than 8-10 weeks old. So I seperated them hoping that some time apart would settle things down,I then put chester back in and he went straight for Oscar again. greater than 8-10 weeks old. Another reason gerbils will fight is if the dominance structure shifts. I have 3 male gerbils that I also got from petsmart and they love to play fight. Gerbils are very social animals, and it is not a good idea to keep them singly. They can entertain each other for hours, and you too! Gerbils communicate by thumping their strong back legs against the ground or whistling sharply. Gerbils do well in a clan and form strong bonds based on power and respect. Gerbils do play fight, but do not confuse play fighting with aggressive fighting. Gerbils Game Description Similar to Lemmings, assign dig, climb, and block tasks to the gerbils to get them to the exit. If you are holding your gerbil and you notice your gerbil is vibrating its a purr and they are extremely happy. So more than one gerbil can live together, but you need to be cautious when pairing different genders. Play fighting among gerbils is usually slow and playful, but when they are fighting for real, it is fast-paced and very aggressive, such that it might end up leading to the death of one or more of the gerbils. Groups or pairs or gerbils living together are called ‘clans’ and they can be anything from 2 gerbils up to many more depending on the circumstances. we have 4 female gerbils in a 3 foot tank, had the since almost birth, they are about 2 years old and been great, when we got them we got 3 from 1 brood and 1 was from the previous brood (so big sister). If you have a single gerbil, or if one of a pair dies, it can be very difficult to introduce a new gerbil, especially mature gerbils, i.e. However, serious fighting will be obvious by bites around the head and tail area. Often one animals will appear distressed and the activity will appear more intense than usual. Real fighting includes wrestling, boxing, and stand-offs. Often they will chase each other around the tank, have a gerbil-boxing match or tumble over each other pouncing and jumping. Young gerbils in the wild are sent off to find their own territories, so family groups may begin fighting as the babies mature. In a gerbil-boxing match they will stand on their hind legs and hit at each other. Young gerbils in the wild are sent off to find their own territories, so family groups may begin fighting as the babies mature. Aggression is a rare trait in gerbils, and they don’t pick unnecessary fights. I recently moved so I don't know if this has something to do with it, but they seem to be fighting more often. If you have a single gerbil, or if one of a pair dies, it can be very difficult to introduce a new gerbil, especially mature gerbils, i.e. Understanding the different sounds these gerbils make will allow you to have a better response and, thus, a closer bond with your pet. Gerbils do not enjoy living alone, by the way. And if nothing is done to stop them from fighting continuously, it might lead to the death of one or more of your gerbils. You will see them play fighting in their gerbil cage all day, which is a common occurrence. Gerbils will often playfight by boxing and chasing each other and squeaking. They will also groom one another, sleep in piles, and cuddle together. It is what we always called 'roughhousing'. Anyway i desided to go onto a proper gerbil forum and ask. Sometimes when you introduce new gerbils to a new home or other gerbils, the least confident one will sort of 'hide' in the tunnel with only their face sticking out, and they try to stop the others coming in - mainly to prevent themselves being scent marked or chased by the others. They will play, chasing each other around, wrestling and boxing. Schedule regular play sessions at the same time once a day so your gerbil gets enough stimulation and attention from you. Gerbils have an acute sense of smell. Which is right tho?! Chirping Young gerbils in the wild are sent off to find their own territories, so family groups may begin fighting as the babies mature.   Pair-bonded or family units of gerbils are usually quite affectionate with each other. Then give a wild chase around the tank. i have 3 male gerbils in the tank together (brothers) We bought them at the same time they play fight all the time are you sure they were not just play fighting to pass some time i had to go out and buy my gerbils a ovitrail cage thing that has tunnels and places to explore they love it i would advice him to buy this it cost £19.99 from my local pet shop honestly they love it Last as long as you can! As gerbils approach old age, they become less able to defend their position as top dog, and younger gerbils may start to challenge them for their enviable position in your little gerbil society. Two Gerbils Fighting. If so, they need to be separated. Stay near the cage for the first 20 minutes of their time together and have leather gloves handy in case you need to separate fighting gerbils. I bought them at the pet store as pups and they were in the same cage together. One of them is beginning to lose the fur on her tail, but we can't see any bites. Detailed instructions and Gerbils help (If any) Rate Gerbils Game on a scale of 1 … I'm a little concerned about my gerbils. greater than 8-10 weeks old. We have 2 gerbils (sisters) who are nearly 2 years old. Gerbils Tutu and Nunu playing camera used http://amzn.to/2sGEEvE Gerbils Gerbils Game Description Similar to Lemmings, assign dig, climb, and block tasks to the gerbils to get them to the exit. Actual fights are quite dangerous, and it causes lots of injuries to the parties involved. It is best to acquaint gerbils with one another before they are 8 weeks of age to try to prevent fighting. Gerbils do purr, however this is normally felt instead of heard. Given their social skills, gerbils do get along with other pets. All gerbils play fight, this is characterised by boxing and jumping around. If so, they need to be separated. Young gerbils in the wild are sent off to find their own territories, so family groups may begin fighting as the babies mature. Once you’ve owned gerbils for a few weeks and have observed their behaviors, the difference between real fighting … Play fighting can be difficult to tell apart from real fighting. 2:E-gerbil forum: They aree at the age where they are de-clanning. 1. well now they fighting, 3 of them, 1 (i think its the big sister) looking all sorry for herself, not happy, she been beaten twice. What is gerbil play fighting? Moreover, the age and sex of a gerbil play a major role in the type of sounds these animals make. Breeding pairs tend to be monogamous and maintain lifelong relationships. seperate them asap! They will … Young gerbils in the wild are sent off to find their own territories, so family groups may begin fighting as the babies mature. Detailed instructions and Gerbils help (If any) Rate Gerbils Game on a scale of 1 - 5 (Worst - Best) . By play fighting or fighting seriously. (Much the way you may have seen kangaroos box.) Interactions With Other Gerbils . They will pounce and jump on each other. You will need to last longer than … However, … Read more If you have a single gerbil, or if one of a pair dies, it can be very difficult to introduce a new gerbil, especially mature gerbils, i.e. greater than 8-10 weeks old. When you have an animal that is as energetic and inquisitive as a gerbil, putting it with other gerbils will lead to some interesting scenes. Unfortunately, they may also fight and it is difficult to distinguish fighting from regular play. Hi all, I've had my gerbils for nearly 2 years now and they've suddenly started to fight quite seriously... one has had a quite bad cut to its eye but they seemed to stop fighting for a while after that.. now today I've had to separate them by splitting their cage into two halfs after I came home to find the other hiding/crying inside one of their toys. On the whole this allows gerbils to establish their hierarchy without serious conflict. Play-fighting starts when they are about three months old, it can start out light and playful but it can get more serious as they become older. Enjoy playing Gerbils! This sort of fighting is particularly common amongst female gerbils, especially mothers and daughters once the pups are a few months old. This sort of activity is harmless. Change up the play sessions so your gerbil does a different activity each time. At a young age, it doesn’t matter who wins the play-fight, but as they become teenagers, between 6 to 12 months, the winner begins to matter as it shows who will be at the top of the hierarchy. If so, they need to be separated. greater than 8-10 weeks old. One is gray and one is black. I got two diffrent replys 1: (yahoo anwsers) they are fighting for domience and let them 'duke' it out. If so, they need to be separated. Once the gerbils are joined together, watch them carefully. Play Fighting / Boxing / Wrestling: Gerbils, especially younger ones, will play fight. They've always played & chased each other, but they seem to be doing it more and it's hard to tell if it's beginning to turn to fighting. Is it better to separate them and make them live alone, or keep them together? Thanks! And not just little tumbly play fights like they have I mean full on fighting,kept chasing him,wouldn't leave him alone at all. How to Play With Gerbils. Here are several of the most common sounds gerbils make, as well as their meanings. Yes No. Collect coins and balls along the way. In comparison, gerbils that are only play-fighting will “box” with their front paws, hop around each other in game-like motions, groom each other, or gently wrestle. Gerbils love to play fight so chances are they are playfighting. If so, they need to be separated. Gerbils are very active ... transferred when you clean out your gerbilarium as cleaning can be stressful and removing all odours may trigger fighting. Their play fighting never results in injury, so if you noticed injuries on your gerbils, then know that they have fought for real. It’s possible the more dominant of the two is aging and becoming feeble, and the other gerbil is making a play to be in charge. 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