Bernie Beevor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>I have 4 male gerbils who have lived in perfect harmony for the last two
>and a half years. two days ago one of them attacked two of the others.
>We seperated the agressor but now the others have started fighting
>violently. they have all had to be separated. what shall I do ? Can they
>ever go back together.
>
>Any suggestions most welcome.
>
>Regards Bernie
You will need to find compatible groups. Often it is not the apparent
aggressor that is the trouble, it is the apparent victim that needs to
be removed.
I am not sure why but I can imagine a scenario that works like this:
There are four gerbils called One, Two and Three.
One is the dominant gerbil and has been for some time. Two senses that
One is weakening his hold on dominance and decides to challenge him. One
fights back and decides to drive off the challenger. You then remove
One. Three then realises there is an open field because the dominant
animal has been removed. Two and three start to compete over dominance.
This is only one example, but it shows how removing an apparent problem
upsets the whole dynamic of the group. In our experience it is nearly
always better to remove the apparent victim. This is because the victim
will usually be either a failed usurper, or a previously dominant gerbil
that has now been deposed.
--
Julian
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
National Gerbil Society
http://www.gerbils.co.uk/
