r/gerbil • u/liv_is_a_person • 2d ago
Social Behavior/Introductions Feeling discouraged :(
Ive been trying to introduce my two gerbils, Pumpkin & Pepper for weeks now. We've been doing split cage since the beginning of August.
Today I decided to try to let them meet face to face again because they were being so good throught the barrier (last time was broken uo dude to side arching.) Theyve been grooming, sleeping in eachothers dens, ignoring each other while eating, sniffing at the divider, everything im told is a good sign.
I let them both stay on their sides a bit longer today to let their smells really soak into each side, and i put pepper, my more stressed gerbil, onto Pumpkin, my chiller gerbils side. Immediately side arching. Literally pepper wasn't even in there for more than 5 seconds before becoming upset. I Immediately took Pumpkin out and put her in the side that was peppers, and when I went to go put the hide and bedding back into the side I was introducing them on, Pepper tried to bite me (luckily I was wearing gloves) and she tried to do some sort of death shake (like what dogs do to prey?) So she was definitely super agitated
Now both the gerbils are fine but I just dont understand why thus is happening. Ive been doing everything like im supposed to and its not working :( they probably just need more time but I just wish it would happen now, yknow?
I cant afford to just try a different pairing at this point. Im too emotionally invested in both of them.
3
u/dan-at-the-van 1d ago
I had a similar experience with my pair. Were fine when the divider was present but began to act aggressive when removed.
I had to eventually bite the bullet and sit with them both for an entire day to monitor them.
Whilst there were some signs of aggression early on, after a few hours they calmed down and accepted each other and started to sleep together and groom each other.
I would say you need to set aside the time to monitor them though so you can intervene if any serious fights happen.