Sounds to me like they're getting along fine. I have often seen pairs
drinking from the water bottle together, it's as though one starts
drinking and then the other remembers that he or she is thirsty too ...
kinda like my husband pouring himself a Coke and then I want one too! :)
Evans wrote:
> Trinity and Einstein seem to be getting along. There are no signs of
> actual fighting. No nips on noses or feet, no hairless patches on
> tails. But as I've never kept gerbils before, I'm wondering if their
> behavior is normal. Here's what goes on:
>
> Trinity more or less seems indifferent about Einstein. She goes about
> her own business, sleeps where she wants to, and if he happens to
> come up and sleep next to her she doesn't make a big deal out of it.
> Einstein still does that little arched back thing every now and then,
> but not as often. I'm thinking it's his way of saying "You WILL
> tolerate me, woman!"
>
> Now here's what I find really odd. Every time Trinity goes to get a
> drink of water, Einstein goes up to the bottle too and tries to drink
> at the same time. Any time I put some cardboard boxes in there for
> them to chew, even though Einstein has NEVER been a big chewer,
> suddenly he's GOT to be chewing the same spot she is. Honestly I'm
> amazed Trinity doesn't give him what for. She used to be the dominant
> one, and now things seem to have turned slightly. She's definitely
> more mellow, and I've never seen her more passive since I've had her.
> Of course, she's not terribly affectionate with him either. Every now
> and then they come nose to nose, like they're sniffing under each
> other's chins. I'm not sure if this is grooming, or a different kind
> of communication going on. Trinity seems content to let Einstein dig
> holes in corners and generally make a mess of the cage, while she
> just sits there watching him. Perhaps she's wondering how she got
> stuck with this silly fool? :P
>
> I just wanted to make sure this was somewhat normal behavior going
> on. OR should I be looking more closely for signs of fighting in the
> near future? Or should I separate them now? Again, there's no
> physical signs of fighting, and they nearly always sleep together.
> I've only caught Einstein in the "dog house" once since they've been
> together. So is there any need to worry? Or am I just being an overly
> worrisome mom? :)
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
> -Jackie & The Copper Dragon Clan
--
Tana and The Little Rascals
http://members.home.net/tlr-gerbilry
