Positive Body Language in Gerbils
Positive body language in gerbils generally indicates excitement, curiosity, contentment, or relaxation. Here are some common positive signals and their meanings:
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Excitement is shown when a gerbil jumps up. They might do this upon seeing you, indicating they’re happy to see you or anticipating some treats or toys. It’s a spontaneous behavior, known as “popcorning,” suggesting their spirits are high. Respond by rewarding or gently petting them to let them know you’re just as pleased.
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Standing on hind legs with front paws at the sides signals relaxation and curiosity. They might do this when someone passes by their cage or when you introduce a new toy. This “sentry” behavior indicates their interest in the surroundings, wanting to explore or observe. Capitalize on their curiosity by introducing new things, keeping them lively and creative.
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Gerbils may make a vibrating or purring sound when being petted, signaling pleasure and relaxation. The whole body vibrates, a comfy signal indicating they enjoy your touch and attention. This “purring” is a social sound, showing trust and a close relationship. Keep petting to make them feel secure and warm.
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A comfortably relaxed gerbil will groom itself, licking its paws, belly, face, and tail. This grooming behavior, known as “barbering,” is displayed in their cage or when held, showing happiness and calmness. It’s their way of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. Appreciate their cleanliness, offer praise or a gentle kiss to let them know you adore them.
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Digging or tunneling in their cage indicates a good sign, showing they’re comfortable and want to create their home. This instinctive behavior, known as “burrowing,” signifies control and a sense of ownership in their environment. Provide enough bedding for them to dig tunnels, giving them a private space.
Negative Body Language in Gerbils
Negative body language in gerbils usually signals nervousness, alertness, stress, or sadness. Here are some common negative signals and their meanings:
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Standing with front paws together in a tensed posture indicates nervousness or high alertness. This “threat stance” suggests they might feel uneasy due to their surroundings or companions and are ready to defend themselves or flee. Comfort them by offering reassurance or treats to help them relax.
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Thumping with hind legs, known as “drumming,” is a warning signal to other gerbils or animals in the vicinity. If they feel threatened or stressed, they might do this to signal they want to drive away intruders or seek help. This drumming is a vigilant sound, indicating they’re in a dangerous or urgent situation. Check for disturbances in their surroundings and eliminate them to calm them down.
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Over-grooming may indicate that a gerbil is stressed and unhappy. If grooming becomes obsessive, it can lead to bald patches, scars, or even bleeding. This “over-grooming” is a sign of stress, revealing dissatisfaction or discomfort with their emotions or body. Monitor their behavior and health, identify the causes, such as loneliness, boredom, pain, or illness, and address them promptly to restore normalcy.
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Lethargy may signify sadness in gerbils. Signs include a lack of interest and excitement in the surroundings, such as jumping or making noise, and reduced interest in food or toys. This “depression” is an emotional signal indicating unhappiness or feeling lost. Try to stimulate their interest with new things or spend more playtime to make their lives more engaging and meaningful.
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Pushing your hand away with their head signifies a need for personal space. Despite being naturally social animals, gerbils sometimes need alone time, especially when tired or uncomfortable. This “pushing away” is an independent signal indicating they need some time and space to relax or recover. Respect their wishes, avoid forcing them to be held or disturbed, and let them come to you on their terms.
Keeping Gerbils Happy
If you want your gerbil to lead a happy life, providing them with a suitable living environment and conditions, along with ample care and attention, is essential. Here are some ways to keep your gerbil happy:
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Offer plenty of space and toys for activities. Gerbils are highly active and playful, needing enough room to move and play to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Provide them with entertaining toys like wheels, tunnels, towers, etc., offering a variety of choices and stimulation. Rotate toys regularly to prevent boredom.
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Select an appropriate habitat. A gerbil’s cage is its home, and it needs to be comfortable and secure for resting and sleeping. Choose a sufficiently large, well-ventilated cage with plenty of hiding spaces to give them a territory and privacy. Avoid using metal or plastic cages, as they may harm their teeth or claws.
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Regularly clean the cage. Gerbils are clean animals and dislike living in dirty or smelly conditions. Maintain the cleanliness of their cage, thoroughly cleaning it weekly and removing leftover food or droppings daily to prevent bacterial or parasitic growth. Ensure clean water and food for their nutritional needs.
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Provide ample bedding for tunneling. Gerbils enjoy creating their burrows, a natural and habitual behavior. Offer abundant bedding, such as wood shavings, tissues, hay, etc., allowing them to dig tunnels and have a home of their own. Change the bedding regularly to keep their burrows fresh and dry.
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Regularly check their health. Gerbils are sensitive creatures prone to common illnesses like colds, diarrhea, or skin diseases. Periodically examine their health, paying attention to changes in behavior and appearance, including appetite, spirits, weight, fur color, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, anus, etc. If you notice any abnormalities or signs of discomfort, promptly consult a veterinarian.
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Be patient and build trust slowly. Gerbils are timid and shy, requiring time and space to adapt to you and your environment. Be patient with them, avoiding forced handling or disturbance, letting them gradually get used to your presence, voice, smell, and touch. Use hand-feeding to establish a connection, allowing them to become accustomed to being held and petted.
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Allow them daily out-of-cage time. Gerbils need some time and space to roam outside their cage, releasing their energy and curiosity. Set up a safe and enjoyable play area, like a large box or a closed room, letting them move freely and explore. Supervise their activities to prevent getting lost, injured, or ingesting harmful items like wires, rubber, plastic, etc.
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**Provide plenty of chew toys
.** Chewing is crucial for a gerbil’s dental health, as their teeth continuously grow. Without proper wear, it can lead to severe issues like overgrown or misshapen teeth, infections, etc. Supply them with abundant chew toys, including wood, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, allowing them to chew whenever needed to maintain the length and shape of their teeth.
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Interact, train, and play with them. Gerbils are highly social, enjoying interactions with people or other gerbils to fulfill their emotional and psychological needs. Spend time each day interacting with them, training them on simple tricks like sitting, standing, or following, or playing fun games like chasing, hide-and-seek, tug-of-war, etc. Make their lives interesting and challenging.
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Reward and praise.
