Do you know that some gerbils are born smaller than others?
The smaller pied dove in this picture grew MUCH slower than the other gerbils.
At 25 days, the smaller pied dove was still unable to open one eye, and could not move stably.
On carrying it up, it just moved round and round on the same spot, and stumbled about, flipping over uncontrollably; such a gerbil is called 'runt'.
The smaller pied dove in this picture grew MUCH slower than the other gerbils.
At 25 days, the smaller pied dove was still unable to open one eye, and could not move stably.
On carrying it up, it just moved round and round on the same spot, and stumbled about, flipping over uncontrollably; such a gerbil is called 'runt'.
Day 18 - I'm full grown and starting to rock and roll
22nd December.
The young pups are 7cm and 8.5-9cm!
The tails of a young gerbil stretches out straight and upwards when they walk from one point to the next.
The eyes are still closed.
Mouth and nose are fully open.
Ears no visible hearing holes can be seen, ears are still close to the body (grown up gerbils' ears can move forwards and backwards)
Fur is fluffy and has gain thickness.
Movement is mainly by sniffing and feeling. No nibbling seen or felt yet.
Gerbil is calm and easy to pick up.
The young pups are 7cm and 8.5-9cm!
The tails of a young gerbil stretches out straight and upwards when they walk from one point to the next.
The eyes are still closed.
Mouth and nose are fully open.
Ears no visible hearing holes can be seen, ears are still close to the body (grown up gerbils' ears can move forwards and backwards)
Fur is fluffy and has gain thickness.
Movement is mainly by sniffing and feeling. No nibbling seen or felt yet.
Gerbil is calm and easy to pick up.
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Through breeding a few batch of gerbils, you notice that the darker coloured gerbils often progress faster in their muscle movement. They are faster and more agile at an earlier age. This has been a similar observation for a few batches of gerbil pups from different parents. At this age, the gerbils begin to climb up to locations it initially would have never been able to access. They are just randomly moving about. How do they move about without sight? I later found out, they base their movement on their sense of hearing and general feel of vibrations around them (Less on the vibration, more on the sense of hearing) |
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Day 19 - The Giant is coming! Run for shelter!
23rd December.
Today's Growth: 9cm.
On this 19th day, the young pups begin to be very sensitive to their surroundings.
Just by making certain noises, or even slight taps on the tank, the young gerbils begin to take flight for shelter and protection.
More interestingly, their days of roaming around the tank "aimlessly" seem to aid them alot as to where shelter is. Those who roam less,
tend to move along the perimeter of the tank aimlessly, sometimes just continuously moving towards the corner of one side of the tank.
Those who move a lot in the previous few days tend to move steadily and quickly for where there is shelter. The question here is, how do they know that that is where the shelter is, if they cannot see, and may not know where a shelter is?
I believe the answer lies in exploration. It is an inert behaviour for these gerbils to feel around once they can move about. By exploring, their body touch corners of objects and tank. From these feelings, they can identify where the shelter is. Anything that moves above them is known to be something they can hide under for protection.
From this day, the young gerbils squeak less.
It is important to carry your gerbils when they are young. It will prevent them from being afraid when you handle them in future. If you dont want to get bitten when you carry them in future, you should begin handling and carrying them from birth. Just spend a little time each day. It will help you a long way!
Today's Growth: 9cm.
On this 19th day, the young pups begin to be very sensitive to their surroundings.
Just by making certain noises, or even slight taps on the tank, the young gerbils begin to take flight for shelter and protection.
More interestingly, their days of roaming around the tank "aimlessly" seem to aid them alot as to where shelter is. Those who roam less,
tend to move along the perimeter of the tank aimlessly, sometimes just continuously moving towards the corner of one side of the tank.
Those who move a lot in the previous few days tend to move steadily and quickly for where there is shelter. The question here is, how do they know that that is where the shelter is, if they cannot see, and may not know where a shelter is?
I believe the answer lies in exploration. It is an inert behaviour for these gerbils to feel around once they can move about. By exploring, their body touch corners of objects and tank. From these feelings, they can identify where the shelter is. Anything that moves above them is known to be something they can hide under for protection.
From this day, the young gerbils squeak less.
It is important to carry your gerbils when they are young. It will prevent them from being afraid when you handle them in future. If you dont want to get bitten when you carry them in future, you should begin handling and carrying them from birth. Just spend a little time each day. It will help you a long way!
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The eyes of the gerbils are still closed. Not much changes from day 18 except for the growth in length in each gerbil. The gerbils are generally 9cm long each. |
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Gerbils of this age tend to run off in all directions when they hear the tank cover being taken off, my gerbils do not exert such behaviour due to constant handling since young. Handling the parents daily before they give birth also helps in keeping the parents calm after birth. When the parents are calm, they will take care of the baby with more confidence, even when you handle the baby gerbils on the first hour of birth. |
Day 21 - My eyes are open!
24th December.
A great wonderful christmas eve to everyone. There was no change detected on the gerbils yesterday. On this 21st day, the gerbils have finally opened their eyes! Once the gerbils open their eyes, they become very afraid of anything which is suddenly going for them. They have never seen anything in their lives yet, so even your sudden movement may cause all the gerbils to scamper for shelter. However, if you have been spending time with each of them before they opened their eyes, carrying them actually calms them down!
They are already familiar with such handling, and will be all right with you just handling them. Kudos to you if your pups are well trained to have you handling them. That is one of the first move in getting your gerbils to trust you.
A great wonderful christmas eve to everyone. There was no change detected on the gerbils yesterday. On this 21st day, the gerbils have finally opened their eyes! Once the gerbils open their eyes, they become very afraid of anything which is suddenly going for them. They have never seen anything in their lives yet, so even your sudden movement may cause all the gerbils to scamper for shelter. However, if you have been spending time with each of them before they opened their eyes, carrying them actually calms them down!
They are already familiar with such handling, and will be all right with you just handling them. Kudos to you if your pups are well trained to have you handling them. That is one of the first move in getting your gerbils to trust you.
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The gerbils have opened their eyes, and today also marks the first day the gerbils begin to eat more solid food. They are observed to eat a little solid food, yet still rely a little on their mother's milk. |
Conclusion
I once learn that the human species is one of the weakest in our ability to defend ourselves. An average human would require about 18-22 years to be fully developed in thinking and ability to defend ourselves.
In contrast, most animals are able to defend themselves from around 2 weeks of age.
Gerbils are no exception. Just within 21 days (3 weeks), baby gerbils have grown in to gerbils able to deliver a bloody bite if you scare or agitate them. Many gerbil owners focus only on the well being of their gerbils. I believe that to fully help your gerbils to be happy, one has to spend time understanding their body motions, their language and learning behaviour.
The ability to communicate with each animal in their own language, will help you to befriend them in ways much more than you can image.
Spend more time observing, understanding, and learning from them.
I wish you all the best in being a gerbil owner, loved by all your gerbils.
In contrast, most animals are able to defend themselves from around 2 weeks of age.
Gerbils are no exception. Just within 21 days (3 weeks), baby gerbils have grown in to gerbils able to deliver a bloody bite if you scare or agitate them. Many gerbil owners focus only on the well being of their gerbils. I believe that to fully help your gerbils to be happy, one has to spend time understanding their body motions, their language and learning behaviour.
The ability to communicate with each animal in their own language, will help you to befriend them in ways much more than you can image.
Spend more time observing, understanding, and learning from them.
I wish you all the best in being a gerbil owner, loved by all your gerbils.