Miss Z
09-03-2007, 03:03 PM
And we thought that it we would be worried about Tia whilst we were away in Cyprus!
Whilst in the care of the same lady who was looking after Tia, the gerbils began to fight. As we were in contact with the lady throughout the fortnight, in order to check up on Tia, I was soon informed that the gerbils seemed to be scrapping and chasing each other frantically. I replied that they were most likely playfighting, which they often do. We've had the gerbils nearly a year, and they have never had any serious battles. Until now, that is.
Apparently, Twilight and Ebony suddenly went beserk at Nightshade, chasing her and biting her tail and back end. Nightshade attempted to defend herself and nipped Ebony's nose, but she stood little chance against both sisters. Luckily, this all happened whilst the woman was in the room, and she instantly intervened and took Nightshade out of the cage. She was in quite a bad way, the wounds on her tail in particular were quite deep. The lady bathed them in salt water (not easy on a wriggling gerbil) and they seemed to have healed a bit since then.
The gerbils are back home now, and Nightshade's tail is swollen and scabby, but, oddly enough, she is acting more active and happier than I have ever known her to be. She's eating heartily, drinking, and running about, and is loving all the attention she's getting. She doesn't seem to mind being alone at all, in fact I'd say she's enjoying it.
Twilight and Ebony are OK too, Ebony's nose is missing a big patch of fur but other than that, she's fine. They are co-existing quite happily and don't seem to be missing Nightshade at all. The whole situation is very, very strange.
Could a change of environment have triggered this completely uncharacteristic behaviour? I wonder whether they should be introduced back together, when Nightshade seems so happy. Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on the matter? I am really confused as to why this has happened.
Zara
Whilst in the care of the same lady who was looking after Tia, the gerbils began to fight. As we were in contact with the lady throughout the fortnight, in order to check up on Tia, I was soon informed that the gerbils seemed to be scrapping and chasing each other frantically. I replied that they were most likely playfighting, which they often do. We've had the gerbils nearly a year, and they have never had any serious battles. Until now, that is.
Apparently, Twilight and Ebony suddenly went beserk at Nightshade, chasing her and biting her tail and back end. Nightshade attempted to defend herself and nipped Ebony's nose, but she stood little chance against both sisters. Luckily, this all happened whilst the woman was in the room, and she instantly intervened and took Nightshade out of the cage. She was in quite a bad way, the wounds on her tail in particular were quite deep. The lady bathed them in salt water (not easy on a wriggling gerbil) and they seemed to have healed a bit since then.
The gerbils are back home now, and Nightshade's tail is swollen and scabby, but, oddly enough, she is acting more active and happier than I have ever known her to be. She's eating heartily, drinking, and running about, and is loving all the attention she's getting. She doesn't seem to mind being alone at all, in fact I'd say she's enjoying it.
Twilight and Ebony are OK too, Ebony's nose is missing a big patch of fur but other than that, she's fine. They are co-existing quite happily and don't seem to be missing Nightshade at all. The whole situation is very, very strange.
Could a change of environment have triggered this completely uncharacteristic behaviour? I wonder whether they should be introduced back together, when Nightshade seems so happy. Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on the matter? I am really confused as to why this has happened.
Zara