Hi Vicky -
Here are my general suggestions to help gerbils enjoy being held:
--Before attempting to touch gerbils put your hands in the bedding of
the cage -the aspen or whatever-(aspen's great) and rub it between
your hands, to get the cage scent on you (ie mask your own scent or
whatever food you just ate etc.)
--Always move slowly; i avoid 'swooping' a hand at a gerbil. For eg.
i only pick them up two dif. ways: either 'scooping' them loosely
with two hands, or right hand picks up gently by tail base then lays
gerbie on left hand that is very close by, open flat hand palm up
--Use hands for offering a treat (try rolled oat piece) or for
transporting to a fun session only, and then when they are playing in
a floor or bathtub or whatever or couch surface try avoiding to use
the hand frequently to block their movement.. so they see the hands
as helpers and not something to avoid.



Lynne Moquin
51 Wascana Av.
Toronto 416-366-5667

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