My two gerbils??

Question

I got my gerbils yesterday. They are both females (Mikki and Moose), they won't let me hold them. One bit me already and they won't eat food out of my hand like my hamsters used to do. Im beginning to think a male would be better and more tame. Is this true? Should I go find a male or female with a better personality?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You really shouldn't try to hold them for the first 24 hours, they need to adjust to thier new surroundings. Both male and females are the same when it comes to personality, they are both great. Give them time to get used to you. Talk to them through the cage - you can put your finger up to the cage so they can smell you and get used to your scent. A gerbil will not "bite" unless it is sick. They do nibble your finger, that is how they get to know you but it is not a hard bite and should never break the skin. I have 22 gerbils and only got bite once right before Remmy died. Please do not get discouraged, they really are great pets. Just give Mikki, Moose & yourself time to get used to being a new family. Good luck!

Answer 2

Just google taming and work at it I find male bite far more than female

(have be bit by 6 male 2 females)

you just have to give them a few day to move in than try taming them,

(don't pick the gerbil up from above that the way wild birds in the wild eat them)

also if the bite didn't draw blood than they were see if your food some do it the hole lives other never do it!

Answer 3

No, keep your females. It will take time to get them to trust you and they don't like to be held as much as hamsters. Just start by putting your hand in their cage for awhile and letting them walk across your hand and sniff it and then start giving them treats from your hand(mine love sunflower seeds) and then begin to try to pick them up.

I have 3 males. I've never had females but i don't think it should make a difference on taming.

Good luck!

Answer 4

it takes a while for them to get used to people. and if you just got them yesterday then it will take them a while to  trust you! dont worry!

Answer 5

males are more tame i have male and female and the male will come up and sniff me and take food from my hand the female just scarpers ur suposed to have them wen thy are woung to tame them easier

Answer 6

i own 11 gerbils and i have never been bitten and their 4 years old. Gerbils need time and commitment. It took me 2 weeks to get my gerbils tame. I only started with two but they soon multiplied due to a thick vet -they were supposed to be both boys! The fact is the mother is actually more friendly tham the dad. You haven't given them a chance to adjust to you yet, keep trying!!

They are naturally more clever than hamster and will defend themselves. You are scary to them remember!!

Answer 7

You just got them yesterday. You've barely given them a chance, and you already want to replace them with males? It's not true that males are easier to tame. Your gerbils have just been taken from everything they know into a whole new environment. Of course they're going to be scared. Their personalities haven't had time to be shown yet. It took my gerbils a good month before I was able to see their personalities.

Taming takes time and patience. They don't tame overnight, and you have to keep working with them. It has taken me 5 months to get to the point where my gerbils will climb into my hand without a struggle.

In my opinion, you shouldn't give up. Pets aren't disposable. They're a commitment for their entire lives, and if you're not willing to work with them, why should you get other ones that may not work out either? Stick to your two females and take responsibility for them. Patience and time is key when taming.

Answer 8

It doesn't matter both females and male gerbils bite for no reason.