I have one tank of four girls. They are all skinny. They practically look like 10
week
old pups.
I have one tank of four boys. There is one as fat as a hamster. And three regular
sized gerbils. The one I believe is dominate is one of the regular sized boys. He was
clearly dominate when I set up the tank and have seen no squabbles to have upset that.
(So far I've not had any problems with any fighting whatsoever in any tanks and am
keeping my fingers crossed that this trend will continue!!)
I have one tank of a breeding pair. Both are nicely filled out, but not fat.
My theory is that the weight has to do with: 1) the lineage of gerbils (my Cara line is
very sleek/athletic line of runners, climbers, jumpers) both genetics and general
hyperness of behavior; 2) their fondness for sunflower seeds and who grabs them all up
the fastest when the food goes in; 3) general love of food and eating.
I've never notices anyone pushing away another from the food. (Although Bullet will
attempt to wrestle away a cricket from Blossom - good luck!)
Donna
Kathryn Skegg wrote:
> Hello all.
> The Hoiligans, Viola and Ophelia, are as chirpy as ever. However, I'm just curious
> that we always seem to have one of a pair of gerbils bigger than the other. (fatter,
> I guess.) Is this the 'dominant' gerbil who is bullying the other, so she doesn't
> get as much food?
> (I appreciate you can't really tell without observing them, but do other GML
> subscribers fnd that this happens.)
>
> Kathryn,
> Viola and Ophelia
