There is even mention that the fallacy is being perpetuated by
the misinformed in Veternary School. (that gerbils don't
need a water bottle)
No animal can survive without a water supply. The amount
provided by food alone is not enough.
In the wild habitat of the gerbil, there are often early morning
dews caused by the temperature going through 'dew point'.
So air that is very dry later in the day is moisture holding, and
for several minutes will form dew early in the morning on all
surfaces. Gerbils would be able to lick at leaves and rocks
and gain additional water where normally there would be
no readily available surface water (the desert type environment
that is natural for them).
In domestic keeping, we provide a water source (water bottle)
for them to have an available water source. To mist the sides
of the aquarium or cage to provide 'dew' for the animal every
day, would cause lots of problems with soggy bedding and mold
and mildew forming. Henceforth it is easier and more economical
and healthier to offer a water bottle.
All gerbils NEED a water source.
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
>No animal can live for such a long time without water! Even camels can�t.
>I don�t know how long they can survive without drinking but each pet-owner
>simply has to provide everything necessary for his/ her pets� survival and
>he simply IS NOT ALLOWED TO "forget" to fill up the water bottle. The
>animals living in cages or tanks can�t get out and look for their food and
>drink for themselves. It�s better to change and fill up the water everyday
>even if your gerbils haven�t touched it. You can�t be there to observe them
>the whole day and you possibly don�t know how much and how often they
drink,
>but you HAVE TO PROVIDE SOMETHING TO DRINK.
>You could perhaps give them more fruit and they would not actually drink as
>much as before, but they have to drink.
>I�m sure you�re talking about me by "I got a rude comment from someone on
>here" but it�s just my opinion. I don�t know you, but I have read some
>messages written by you and I can�t but saying it�s terrifying that so many
>of your animals have died while they were under your attention. And anybody
>would argue that it�s simply not their fault but yours. You have to care
for
>them and learn anything possible about how to handle, feed, breed etc.
them:
>READ BOOKS and so on!
>I don�t mean it agressively but helpfully.
>Bye, Claudia.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "The Field Clan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 6:25 PM
>Subject: Please read.
>
>
>> Hi all,
>> i got a rude comment from someone on here, they were sayin kill my
>pets
>> unaccidently, I am not going to give you the sn but they said gerbils
live
>> for 6 months without water . Is this true? : GERBILS LIVE FOR 6
MONTHS
>> WITHOUT WATER
>>
>> Lisa
>>
>
