From: "Susan Yee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > 2. Can gerbils be taught tricks,
>
> Just joined the list...wanted to get more info before actually getting
some
> gerbils. Where is the archive so I can check out what types of tricks
gerbils can
> be taught? Someone told me gerbils, in regards to training tricks,
basically are
> like rats.
>
Welcome, Susan.
Not the final answer for you, but some info:
** GML Archives are located at
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html#03864
** There was some discussion about training gerbils last fall. You might
try searching the archives for the word "maze".
** I think the consensus is that rats are more trainable than gerbils.
(Which is why white rats are so popular for psych experiments.) Gerbils
are naturally curious, friendly and rather fearless. Many keepers have
gerbils who love to climb arms, sit on shoulders, poke into pockets and
shirts, etc. It might be difficult to teach a gerbil to respond to voice
commands like "come", "sit", "fetch" -- but it sure could be fun to
try. Certainly gerbils do "come" when they see a hand held in a certain
way, if that hand often has held sunflower seeds.
** You might also browse the archives after search for "Tana Lyman".
IMHO Tana has an excellent touch and knowledge of gerbil behavior,
including training.
Good for you that you will research. Hope you decide to get gerbils
rather than other critters. I did. (*smile*)
