Ask The Gerbils

Herman and Hallie are happy to answer your questions about taking care of, playing with, taming, or getting to know your gerbils. However, if you have questions about breeding or gerbil babies, you should ask an experienced breeder, not Herman and Hallie. For breeding questions, please see the American Gerbil Society or a site such as the Gerbil Breeding & Development page.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Hi Nellie & Herman,

My name is L., and I have a gerbil called Elmo. My sister has a female gerbil called Tizzy, and her cage is in a box. i put Elmo in the box but they always seem to bite each other. Does this mean they are kissing or fighting?

From,
-L.



Hi L.,

We're so glad that you wrote! Your gerbil and your sister's gerbil are fighting. Gerbils are very protective of themselves and of other gerbils that they know. This means that if they see a gerbil who is a stranger, they will fight. Because your gerbil and your sister's gerbil have not been living together, they don't know each other, and they will chase and bite each other if you put them together.

We understand that you want Elmo and Tizzy to be able to play together, but they don't know each other and can hurt each other very badly. Instead of letting them play together, it would be a better idea for you to spend lots of time with Elmo and for your sister to spend lots of her time with Tizzy.

We hope this helps! Please tell Elmo and Tizzy hello from both of us!

Your friends,
-Nellie & Herman