Gerbils are social little creatures that get along well with others as long as they’re introduced at a young age. When they’re isolated from other gerbils and not allowed to interact with them over time, problems can arise. Fighting is one of these problems.
Gerbils are naturally very curious about their surroundings and explore new things.
When two gerbils meet for the first time, they may try to figure out what each other can do and test their capabilities by challenging each other to see if they have what it takes to be a leader or not.
You’ll know that your gerbils are fighting if you see them either chasing each other around or hiding in different hiding places while growling at one another or hissing at one another when another gerbil comes close to them.
How do I know if gerbils are fighting or playing?
Since gerbils tend to be geometrically curious, they’ll likely want to check out different things that are new in their environment.
If you see a lot of your gerbils hiding or chasing one another around, they may be playing but if you see them hissing at each other and growling, then they may be fighting.
You can also tell if they are fighting by assessing the overall situation surrounding your gerbils.
If smaller groups of your gerbils are scattered throughout the tank and don’t seem to be interacting with each other, then it most likely isn’t a fight.
What size tank do I need for 3 gerbils?
You need a tank large enough to accommodate the largest gerbil. If you have multiple gerbils, the tank will need to be larger still. The rule of thumb for tanks is that when you have four or more gerbils, you’ll need a 20-gallon tank. For three gerbils, you’ll need a 10-gallon tank.
How many gerbils can live together?
Gerbils can live together with other gerbils in a same-sex group of two or more if they’re introduced at a young age.
However, you should avoid housing two males together, even if they were introduced as babies. One male gerbil will try to dominate the other and the other male will not be able to tolerate this kind of treatment.
They’ll fight for dominance, which can sometimes become a serious issue.
If you have just one male, he will never have an issue with being treated as the leader of the group but might not be able to tolerate being treated as submissive by another male.
How long does it take for gerbils to get along?
It usually takes a few weeks for gerbils to get used to each other and not be afraid of one another. It’s important to introduce new gerbils slowly.
Gerbils can be introduced at the same time or two different times so they never feel like they’re competing.
After a few weeks, you’ll see that they are more willing to explore the same space together and will even let each other sleep in the same area.
How do I stop my gerbils from fighting?
If you see your gerbils fighting, the first thing you need to do is figure out what’s causing the problem.
It could be that they’re not getting along because they’re bored or because there isn’t enough space for them to coexist peacefully.
Once you identify the cause of the problem, you can take steps to fix it.
If your gerbils are fighting because they’re bored, try adding new toys and enrichment items to their enclosure to keep their minds active and engaged.
If your gerbils are fighting because there isn’t enough space for them, try adding another level to their tank or getting a larger tank so they have more room to move around.
You can also try separating your gerbils into different tanks if they’re fighting too much and you can’t figure out another solution.
Conclusion
Gerbil fights can be problematic, but they are usually just a way of establishing dominance or working out territorial issues.
They’re less likely to fight if you provide your gerbils with enough space and stimulation. Make sure to watch them closely and separate them if the fighting gets too intense. With a little TLC, your gerbils should get along just fine!
