>Jennifer Hinze wrote:
>
>> Hi this I have two quick questions that somebody may be able to help me
>> with.
>>
>> The first - when I pick one of me gerbils up and pet him he vibrates. I
>> wouldn't call it shaking, it really is more like a vibration, you cannot
see
>> him, but I can feel it in my hand. Is this fear? Pleasure?
>
>Some of mine do this. Probably if human hearing could detect it, you'd be
>hearing some vocalization too. I'm not sure if it's contentment or
excitement
>or what, but definitely not fear. Mine will do it when happily exploring
me.
This is the 'purring' that's been mentioned. It's more of a
vibration than a vocalization, and generally means 'contented
happy gerbil'...
>> The second - I am completing my bachelor's degree and
>> am going to Australia to get my Master's, I don't want to
>> get rid of them, but it is not fair to dump them on my parents
>> for 2 years. Does anyone know the laws about the possibility
>> of bringing them with me? I know it is not like a cat or dog
>> where we can produce rabies and vaccination certificates.
Australia's really strict about stuff that can come in. IF you
can get permission, your animal will end up in quarrantine
for months. Or so some other friends have told me.
They've had their local ecosystem totally messed up with
stuff that was imported and got away, the most classic was
some rabbits that were a little girl's pet and got away in
about 1880. You might very well have to leave your animal
stateside with a new home, and if it lives long enough you
can be reunited when you come back.
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
