hi.. i just signed up to this list because i have a problem with my
gerbils. about two weeks ago, i bought a gerbil from a pet store. i
wanted to get two of them, but the salesperson said they were solitary and
cannibalistic, so i only got one. i later found out that they are in fact
social and definitely not cannibals. i felt bad for the one gerbil i had..
i didn't want him to be lonely. so just this past sunday, i went back to
the store and bought another male gerbil, from the same batch even. i took
him home, and when i held the two up to eachother, the first one froze
while the new one sniffed at him, and then the first one swatted him in the
face. so.. i decided to use the split-cage method. i've been using it for
about 5 days now.. the two gerbils sniff at eachother through the divider
now and then. yesterday i tried to introduce the two again. i put them
both down.. and they sniffed at eachother a little.. but then the first
gerbil froze up for a few seconds, then turned around and attacked the new
one. i immediately separated them and haven't let them come into direct
contact since. this is my first time owning gerbils.. and i feel so bad
because the new gerbil is so passive and gentle, but everytime he tries to
get near the first one, he jumps at him. i'm attached to both of them
now.. i really don't want both of them to be alone.. i'd feel so guilty.
i'd really appreciate anyone's advice.. i want this to work so much. thank
you...
~Amy
