Gerbil Behavior! What to Expect

[@finsandwhiskers]

Click mee Social Habits 0:19 Do gerbils bite? 2:32 Squeaking 3:57 When are gerbils awake? 5:41 Gerbils Wink: 10:08 Gerbils Jumping: 10:35 Cuddling: 12:04 Gerbil Clans Behavior: 12:41 Play fighting and Grooming: 15:03

[@Surronater]

Tysmmmm

[@crith4805]

This is the best gerbil video I've ever seen. It sums up their behaviour so well and can be really useful for basic research.

[@finsandwhiskers]

Thank you so much! I worked really hard on this one, there’s so much people don’t know about gerbils that they deserve to know!

[@jeffryhammel3035]

I agree. There isn't a lot of really informative vids out there.

[@lexibrown316]

one gerbil behavior i know that my gerbils do is that they love to cuddle and play fight in the sand! when they stretch it’s the cutest thing ever

[@finsandwhiskers]

I love when they do that!

[@awestebbe]

I find your insights really helpful-the way you explain why they behave how they do and how we can respond. You have a very compassionate spirit and have helped me better understand my gerbils. I have only had them for a month, and I want them to feel safe and happy- and trying to be patient. Thanks!

[@jeffryhammel3035]

Just glad to see this... folks can realize that although gerbils are curious, they luv their own space. Eventually, most gerbils trust you.

[@gracek3939]

I got my gerbils last year and you have helped me a lot with knowing what to feed them and stuff like that. Thank you!

[@finsandwhiskers]

Always glad to help!

[@AnimalLover-qp1um]

Ya me to

[@daggalecka6629]

Can I just say .... I love everything about you🤣❤️ you seem like such a lovely human being! I enjoy your videos every time and I’ve learnt a lot from you ☺️

[@finsandwhiskers]

Thank you!! It’s good to know I’m doing something right 🤣

[@zakloki8284]

I’m getting two gerbils soon and I am very exited so thank you so much for the information

[@broadwaythings11]

Your gerbils are the absolute cutest!

[@CeeBee781]

My gerbils have always been fat and happy. Then, my daughter and I lost heat and we all moved, then we had to go on a little trip and had to move their enclosure while we left. So, their enclosure was moved twice in a week before going back to their original place. Now they’re home, but they’ve both started thumping quite a lot which they NEVER did before, the friendly one who loved to come out and chill with me won’t come near me to be handled, and that same one has lost weight (he was quite chunky so he still looks healthy but still). I’m so bummed cause I feel like I’m starting over.

[@lexibrown09]

you should do a video on what fruits are good for gerbils! great video btw!

[@finsandwhiskers]

Good idea!

[@tiffanykey4589]

My gerbils just think I’m a playground . They will run up my back . It’s so cute.

[@finsandwhiskers]

😂 yes

[@aoifereynolds8809]

Hahah omg I never knew why my gerbils winked because they always wink when I hold them in front of mirror so they are winking at themselves haha 💛💜

[@GeneralJumbo69]

I think we've discovered the first human Gerbil

[@finsandwhiskers]

Rip me

[@AnimalLover-qp1um]

Me:were are my gerbils gerbils: pop I’m here in the betting

[@snowclaw961]

This helps me so much bc I’m a new gerbil owner

[@McTripsRipz]

All my gerbs want to do is run in their wheel lol. They sleep above their bedding and when they wake up, they want to run all day. They take 30 second turns on the wheel. Naps in-between marathons.

[@Natalie-wg6wk]

my gerbils love to chase each other over a single peanut 🙄🙄

[@bonnie3937]

They are precious!

[@onlyfrog]

wonderful video! the sound effects were the only downside, they were very distracting and annoying. but, really, thank you so much for the video, you did great

[@melissameadows4503]

Could you do a video on good gerbil cages?

[@finsandwhiskers]

Definitely on my list of to do!! 💕

[@dalemonsunday8254]

Can gerbils have scrambled eggs no seasoning?

[@finsandwhiskers]

As a treat!

[@Mysterystables214]

and thank you for the nibbling thing I was wondering my gerbils do that

[@wanneske1969]

I gave my gerbils to a young lady because it wasn't what I expected. I also got hay fever from the hay and bedding. Gerbils are great pets though. Contrary to hamsters or mice they are also active during the day time. When they hear something they will wake up and check it out. Sometimes they get scared about something but a few seconds later they have forgotten it and come and play. The big turn off for me was that you can't really let gerbils out of their enclosure, like hamsters or rabbits or guinea pics. My enclosure was huge and they didn't show any stereotypical behaviour but I still found it sad they had to spend their entire life in that cage. They also make a lot of mess

[@rr7firefly]

Make a big mess? Do you mean poop and pee all over? Oh, that would be good to know before getting gerbils.

[@Renee1475]

I let mine run around in the bathtub and my daughter will let one run around in her room on the area rug. For the most part they like their enclosure because it has their scent and feel safe.

[@princessturkeynoodle7927]

Hey there I'm a new gerbil owner and I have two females they are litter mates and just a month off being weened.. anyways I was cleaning their cage and I put them in a box with their Food there in hideout and they were doing good running around normal then they just froze and were limp and unresponsive but it lasted only a minute but it was scary scary they have since returned to normal only another few seconds after I placed them in my hands to warm and calm ?? They moved and I put them back to rest in the hide in the fresh cage they are running around playing digging chewing eating drinking and so on their normal gerbil selves but what was that?!?? Freezing and being limp almost and not responding?!?! It's never happened before.. thank you if you see this your amazing and any knowledge you have would be so so much appreciated and either way hope your channel is successful.

[@everlexidesign7076]

quick question can gerbils have pine cones if there dried out?

[@finsandwhiskers]

They can but you will need to boil and remove all the sap it contains! Those things can really get stuck in there, so you’ll have to be very careful about getting it all, as the sap is toxic

[@everlexidesign7076]

thank you! i bought some off of amazon and i wonder if there safe or not?

[@finsandwhiskers]

If they are decorative you want to make sure they don’t have any glitter, glue, fake snow, or resin!

[@everlexidesign7076]

the ones i bought are meant for small animals and there doesn’t seem to be any sap! thank you for answering! i enjoy these longer videos as well! your doing great shine!

[@finsandwhiskers]

@@everlexidesign7076 thank you I really appreciate it! I was worried they were getting too long, but I try to include as much info as they need

[@elliek594]

hi! could you please do a video on introducing gerbils with a split cage method? and by the way, how long do you keep gerbils in the split cage method??🙂

[@mariaguerrero1787]

Same

[@karbiratorius]

One of my two gerbils are always bitting. Hiting a cage with nose, or cage base, scraching with his nails. When ever hes out on the couch, when he see my skin he bites. He was a little agressive when we got them. Hes not biting only when i give him a sunflower seed.😢 idk how to get him to trust me

[@finsandwhiskers]

Take a look at my taming video! All my best tips are there :)

[@elegeto]

Hrm I've actually got a unique relationship between my gerbils then. Instead of one being the designated leader and doing the renovating AND lookout to see if its safe, I seem to have one renovator gerbil and the other is the lookout!

[@finsandwhiskers]

Oh I actually separated those roles! Sorry if it was unclear in the video. There’s always an architect that’s not necessarily the leader. Almond, our architect, is definitely not the leader 😅

[@Mysterystables214]

your hair is soo pretty

[@finsandwhiskers]

Thank you♥️

[@Jennifer-ws8bc]

3:14 🥺😂

[@lopezfamily0911]

Can you make a video of how to male tiny hats for gerbils and if there safe? Also your gerbils look so Cuteeeeee💖

[@mcrazyweirdom5690]

I had gerbils when I was younger and they never nibbled at my fingers. Ig I was just lucky? Idk.

[@MrKam-jt6hm]

Where did you get your gerbils? Do you have recommendations for me to also get 3 for my 10 year old triplets? Thank you for your time.

[@MariaPalitosylosgatos]

Thak you, I did't know they wink. I'll be paying more attention to that behavior, and I hope they will do it to me!!!😍

[@blync4127]

My gerbils are lazy ..... just looked at cage gerbils are awake gtg they are calling me 👌😊

[@finsandwhiskers]

It could mean any of the reasons I suggested in the video!

[@LadyVader]

I've never had gerbils, are they a lot like hamsters and mice, behavior-wise?

[@finsandwhiskers]

I can’t say for mice as I haven’t owned them, but they are quite the opposites of hamsters! They’re social, awake constantly, and needy of attention 😂 among the other reasons in the video

[@LadyVader]

@@finsandwhiskers awwwww, your gerbils are extra cute though 🥺🥺🥺

[@finsandwhiskers]

@@LadyVader I am such a morning/day person so my gerbils and I have connected like 4 peas in a pod 🥺

[@manospapas904]

Thanks for the great video! Keep posting! I am new to gerbils ... kids love them. We have 2 females. One is energetic and jumpy the other one is shy! I have 2 questions: What kind of sand do u use? Also, what kind of bedding do u use? Thanks and greetings from Greece.

[@finsandwhiskers]

I use ZooMed Reptisand and small pet select bedding!

[@aoifereynolds8809]

Hi love your videos I got to gerbils in around December of 2020 and the tend to bite when I am holding them but not when my hands are in the cage so do u have any ideas on why they would do that and how to help prevent it ❤🐭

[@finsandwhiskers]

It could be that they don’t want to be held! They’re also trying to see what surface they are on, as their enclosure is the most familiar with the scent they know the most.

[@jeffryhammel3035]

Also, introduce yourself gently. Never just grab the gerbil from above... eventually, they'll crawl into your hands.

[@aoifereynolds8809]

@@finsandwhiskers thank you so much also I cant believe u replied I love your videos ❤

[@aoifereynolds8809]

@@jeffryhammel3035 thanks so much 💜

[@Willoqx]

Hey! I just wanted a quick question! I know many animals who only have one meal a day , so how many meals a day? I’ve watched a lot of ur vids and I’m getting two gerbils soon so some advise that you haven’t said or anyone who have any advise. I’m getting a 54L tank , is that ok??

[@AnimalLover-qp1um]

What if you can’t do a divider. can you do a video about sand bath please. thanks my gerbils some times nibble me now i know why

[@finsandwhiskers]

If you can’t do a divider I recommend a cage topper! As for sand, I have made a video on what I use in my Gerbil Supplies video

[@AnimalLover-qp1um]

@@finsandwhiskers ok thanks

[@samharman1457]

Hi, I have two female gerbils. I’ve had them for around two weeks now. One is always out and burrowing and the other doesn’t seem to show a lot of interest in it although she does seem to love climbing into my hand and interacting with me. Is it normal to see such large differences between the two?

[@finsandwhiskers]

Yes!

[@hermionewhit]

What tank do you recommend? I have found a 60x30x30 cm tank on Amazon, is that ok or where could I find a bigger one? 🐹🤍

[@finsandwhiskers]

It should be at least a 76 liter (20 gallons) minimum, with a cage topper for their wheel, sand, and water! Petco has $1 per gallon sales but you can also find them at any aquarium stores

[@hermionewhit]

@@finsandwhiskers thank you I have found a 80x30x40 tank what is 97L is that ok? Also love your content 💚

[@janaherowitsch6920]

Hey! You recommended to watch this video, because my gerbils are bitting me, when I get in their enclosure. It hasn‘t changed and often they are biting so hard that I bleed. I don‘t know what I should do now? Maybe you can help me, because you know sooooo much about gerbils.💗

[@PetConnectionInternational]

Can I ask, do you use any "passive taming" methods such as handfeeding and slow blinking/winking? These are a couple of things that can help to gradually build a sense of trust between you and your gerbil, and it can help with the "active" taming process. I explain both "passive" and "active" taming in a hand taming video on my channel if it helps 🙂 also if they continue biting when you're trying these new methods then it may be an idea to wear gardening gloves while training at the start until they learn not to bite your hand, we don't want lost fingers in the process! 😅

[@mariotorrecilla254]

This is a great video. There is plenty of information out there about food or wheels, but not much information about behavior. It is a topic I would love to hear more about. Regarding your video, I would suggest placing the wheel upside-down and attached to the top of the cage. This way, the wheel will be above the bedding and the gerbils won't be able to move the wheel or hide it in the bedding. See this video I uploaded as an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5Smp5epiaySbKc

[@finsandwhiskers]

My wheel, sand, and water, are all away from the bedding as they have their own space!

[@francescayoung5726]

How long have you had your gerbils? I feel like my gerbil doesn’t really like me 😞😅

[@PetConnectionInternational]

Don't worry too much about that, every gerbil is different, as long as you're showing them you bring good things by giving them treats like sunflower/pumpkin seeds and mealworms, then they should gradually get more used to you 🙂 I have two VERY different personalities in my gerbils, while one of them can come when called and is learning a bunch of tricks, the other one won't even fully stand on my hand for a treat before running away 😅

[@Willoqx]

Hey! Is Muesli a good gerbil feed?

[@finsandwhiskers]

What is the guaranteed analysis?

[@Willoqx]

@@finsandwhiskers I’m so sorry! I’ve never had a gerbil before and I just found it on my local pet shop store online called pets at home but I’ll check! Wait a min!

[@Willoqx]

@@finsandwhiskers ok I copied and pasted it

[@Willoqx]

@@finsandwhiskers Composition: Alfalfa Meal, Soya Meal Pellets*, Whole Maize, Flaked Peas, Flaked Maize, Whole Oats, Extruded Wheat, Toasted Wheat, Flaked Wheat, Sunflower Seeds, Wheat Feed, Soya Oil*, Extruded Soya Beans*, Extruded Locust Bean Husks, Extruded Linseed. (Seeds 15%, Grains 41%). *Produced from genetically modified soya.. Technological Additives: ; Sensory Additives: ; Nutritional Additives: Vitamin A 20,000 IU/Kg, Vitamin D3 2,000 IU/Kg, Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate 60 mg/Kg (Fe 20 mg), Calcium Iodate 1.5 mg/Kg (I 0.5 mg), Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate 20 mg/Kg (Cu 5 mg), Manganese Oxide 32 mg/Kg (Mn 25 mg), Zinc Oxide 87 mg/Kg (Zn 70 mg), Sodium Selenite 0.3 mg/Kg (Se 0.15 mg).. Analytical Constituents: Protein 17%, Crude Fibres 6%, Crude Oils and Fats 8%, Crude Ash 4%, Moisture 11%. Feeding Guide: Feed 1012g of Pets at Home Gerbil Muesli per day alongside freely available fresh water.

[@kendravoracek3636]

🖤🖤

[@waltergrove2657]

Maybe Im first but Im just scared to say Im first. Because maybe Im not. Hehe

[@finsandwhiskers]

You are!