In a group of more than 3 females, There is no telling how long the harmony will last. It could be as long as a year, or nearly two. Or as short as a month or two from now. Likely yours are getting along so far because the older daughters are still rather young and the mom is a good mother. But even considering that, things cannot remain perfect forever in a clan of too many females.
When the females mature they will eventually seek dominance, since gerbils live in a female dominant society. In the wild, the loser would be chased away to a new home. In captivity there is nowhere to run, so the battle usually ends in the death of the less dominant ones. You say you do not have the space for another tank. Then you really should not be allowing any of your females to be bred and have more pups. If the pet store will not accept them, or it is such a bad place that you would not want pets to endure it, then you must find some alternative. Either create the extra space for another tank, or find friends, relatives, etcetera, who could take the extra gerbils. It comes right down to what is best for the animals. Though it may not be the most comfortable choice for us. I know you would not want to come home one day and find one of your beloved pets severely wounded or even dead. But this is what happens all too often. And sometimes there seems no warning of its immenence. One day they are grooming and nesting togther, the next it is chase and attack. If anyone has 3 females in one tank, they should always keep a watch over their behavior. Be sure they are still nesting togther and grooming each other. And be sure each gerbil is being allowed to eat and drink. Sometimes the driving away behavior begins as the dominant gerbil trying to keep the other gerbil from having access to food and water. In the wild this gerbil would leave and find a new home. I have already mentioned what happens instead in captivity. This is the best and most accurate info I can give you. But anyone with experience will tell you the same. I am sure you will weigh the alternatives and make the best choice. Jade --- Jessica Pierson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Right now I have four females in one tank. It's mom > and three daughters. > There's also a litter of seven in with them, they're > about 3 weeks old. I > haven't noticed any problems yet. Is this something > that's going to > inevitably turn into a problem? I don't have the > space for another tank, > and I just can't take them to the pet store... :/ > > -Jess > The Grecian Clan > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com
