> At 11:22 PM 3/20/00 +0000, Julian and Jackie wrote:
> >[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote
> >
> > >I'd have to agree. Threads like these are what the GML is all
> > about..this is
> > >a Gerbil Discussion list and new and old Gerbil enthusiasts alike are
> > >encouraged to post questions and comments that are Gerbil related. So
> > >threads like this are completely plausible.
> > >
> > >Jessi
> >
> >The facts are that there is probably no evidence that female gerbils
> >cannot raise their own gerbils without human intervention other than as
> >much as they can eat and a good supply of water.
>
> What about the little fruitcakes who grab up a baby in their mouth and
take
> off for an extended run on the wheel? Is there a point to that sort of
> behavior? Sometimes she'll grab a wad of shredded paper and do the same
> thing. I watched her while I was playing backgammon online, and finally
> took the wheel out. Why does she feel they need to go on these little
> excursions?
>
She's probably bored, and felt like going for a run. I would have left the
wheel in. Frack felt compelled to move them around the tube maze three or
four times a day, and periodically kicked them across the cage when I'd turn
the light on in the room unexpectedly. None of the pups were hurt, all are
alive today. Once again, I'll reiterate, gerbils know far, far more about
raising gerbils than I ever could. If she kills a pup, that pup very likely
needed killing. It's all up to her, really. She's a gerbil, she knows what
she's about, and they're her pups.
