Do Gerbils Like to Swim? (The Brutally Honest Truth)
Ever wondered if gerbils like to swim?
I mean, who wouldn't be intrigued about their unusual behavior, right?
Visualize this:
You're scrolling through the internet, caught in the whirlwind of gerbil knowledge, when suddenly, a thought strikes you.
"Do these furry critters take a dip?"
But fret not, my friend.
Today, we embark on a journey together - a quest to uncover the truth.
So buckle up and let's dive right in. ✨
Do Gerbils Like to Swim?
While gerbils may have a hidden talent for swimming, they are not particularly fond of it. Their small size and short legs make them susceptible to drowning and vulnerable to predators. Instead, gerbils enjoy sand baths to keep their fur clean and shiny.
However, let's get into the nitty-gritty details, alright?
Gerbils can swim, but they don't actively go looking for it.
You see, gerbils aren't really exposed to water in their natural homes, so swimming isn't a regular thing for them.
Actually, some scientists decided to test this out. They put gerbils in situations where they had to swim, and guess what?
Those little furballs were stressed out and desperately tried to find dry land.
So, it's pretty clear that swimming doesn't bring joy to gerbils like it does to other pets we keep at home.
But here's the thing: gerbils are small, with short legs and all.
That means they're more likely to drown compared to bigger animals who are better swimmers.
Not only that, but when gerbils paddle around in the water, they become an easy target for predators out in the wild.
Because of all these reasons, it's recommended that you keep gerbils away from ponds or pools or any big bodies of water. Gerbils just ain't cut out for swimming, and it's better to play it safe and ensure their well-being.
But fear not...
Gerbils have something else they enjoy—sand baths.
Sand baths serve multiple purposes for these critters.
They help soak up oils from their fur, get rid of parasites, and keep their coats nice and clean.
And hey, gerbils actually love the feeling of digging and rolling around in the sand. It brings them extra joy during their grooming routine.
Now, if you're wondering whether your gerbil is secretly a fan of swimming, I'd say it's highly unlikely. Just ensure you provide them with enough fresh water to drink and a cozy sand bath to keep them happy and healthy.
Main points I'll expand upon further down this article:
- Gerbils are small rodents that vary in size and color.
- Gerbils don't hibernate in winter but become less active.
- Gerbils need plenty of sleep to make up for their high energy levels.
- Gerbils are similar to hamsters but tend to be larger.
- Bonding with gerbils can be achieved through supervised exploration.
- Providing exercise equipment and toys is beneficial for gerbils' physical activity.
- Gerbils exhibit foot-stomping behavior for communication.
- Gerbils are responsive to various sounds in their environment.
- Gerbils can become pregnant without males around and should be separated before sexual maturity.
But, before you decide to bring home a gerbil as a pet, there are a few more interesting details you should know!
Do Gerbils Have Red Eyes?
Let's talk about gerbils' eye colors.
Gerbils don't settle for just one or two eye colors, they have a whole range of options for you:
- The most common eye color for gerbils is black. It gives them a classic and sophisticated look.
- If you want something unique, you can go for wine-colored eyes. They add elegance and charm to their all in all appearance.
- Now here's an interesting fact: gerbils can actually have red eyes! Yes, you heard it right, red eyes. It adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to these adorable little creatures.
- And guess what? There's even a possibility of gerbils having RED-RED EYES! It's like they decided to take their uniqueness to the next level with their eye color.
So, when choosing a gerbil as your pet, don't limit yourself to just one eye color. Embrace the diversity and beauty that gerbils offer in their eye colors.
And guess what?
Gerbils' unique eye colors are just one fascinating aspect of these adorable creatures.
Let's dive deeper into their winter behavior!
Does a Gerbil Hibernate in the Winter?
Gerbils don't hibernate in winter, they just become less active.
You might catch them winking at you - that's how gerbils communicate.
These little furry critters need lots of sleep because they have so much energy. Gerbils are bigger than hamsters but share many similarities.
Recommended Gerbil 101 Articles:
- Curious about gerbils and cats as companions? 👉 Gerbils and Cats Compatibility
- Discover harmonious cohabitation tips for dogs and gerbils 👉 Dog-Gerbil Compatibility
- Explore gerbil-guinea pig compatibility before housing them together 👉 Do Gerbils Get Along With Guinea Pigs
Can Gerbils Climb Up Vertical Tubes, Stairs, and Trees?
Gerbils are not natural climbers
You may be wondering, can gerbils climb up vertical tubes, stairs, and trees?
Well, the thing is, gerbils aren't really skilled climbers.
They're small rodents known for hoarding stuff and come in different sizes.
The ones we domesticate grow to around 5.3 inches long.
But here's the deal, climbing isn't really their thing.
However, with a little help from handholds or fun climbing toys and tubes in their habitat, gerbils can definitely learn to climb. It's like giving them their own playground where they can have some fun, get some exercise, and explore their surroundings.
Bonding with gerbils through supervised exploration
If you want to bond with your furry buddies, I've got an idea.
Encourage them to explore and play on your lap and hands while you keep a close watch on them.
This not only makes us closer but also helps them get used to you and your smell.
Providing exercise equipment for gerbils' physical activity
To ensure gerbils stay active and healthy, you have to provide them with proper exercise gear.
Get them solid-surfaced wheels with backs, chew toys, climbing toys, and tubes!
These things will add excitement to their home and give them plenty of chances to run, climb, and explore - keeping them entertained.
In addition to all this climbing business, guess what?
Gerbils love digging too!
To satisfy their natural instinct, use a mix of hay, aspen shavings, and paper in their enclosure.
This way, they can build tunnels and burrow to their heart's content.
It gives them a sense of security and fulfillment, just like how exploring does for you and me.
And it gets even more fascinating when we delve into the social behavior and emotions of gerbils.
Did you know that these small rodents exhibit a unique form of communication through foot stomping?
But that's not all; they also display emotional sensitivity, which includes grieving the loss of a bonded companion.
Intrigued to learn more?
Keep reading!
Understanding the Drumming Behavior of Gerbils
Gerbils thump their hind legs as a form of communication. It's their way of expressing excitement or stress. They also use vocalizations like squeaking to convey messages. This foot stomping behavior and their ability to grieve when losing a companion show how emotive and sensitive gerbils can be.
Let's dig deeper into why gerbils drum the way they do.
When gerbils start thumping their hind legs, it could mean they're excited.
Maybe they found a new hiding spot or got surprised by something interesting happening around them.
But foot stomping can also indicate stress or fear.
If your gerbil feels threatened or uncomfortable in its environment, you might see them paw thump to express their distress to you and other gerbils.
Pay attention to how they behave and make sounds when they start drumming. If you notice sudden changes in their behavior or appearance, create a calm and safe environment for them.
Moreover, gerbils use foot stomping to communicate with humans too.
When they're happy to see you or want attention, they may perform their little drum solo to catch your eye.
It's their way of saying, Hey, I'm here!
Give me some attention!
So don't fret too much when your gerbil starts thumping its hind legs.
Just keep an eye on their all in all behavior and ensure they have a comfortable habitat that reduces potential stress.
These cute little creatures are clever and emotional beings.
To create a strong bond with your gerbil and give them the care and love they deserve, understanding their ways of communication is crucial.
With that being said, keep rocking those hind leg thumps, gerbils.
You're doing an amazing job expressing yourselves.
And speaking of understanding your gerbil's behavior, let me share some important information about their social interactions and the precautions you need to take regarding breeding.
When Can Baby Gerbils Leave Their Mother?
Once baby gerbils come into the world, it won't take long before they start exploring beyond their nest.
While this is super cute and all, you should keep a close eye on them because gerbils mature faster than you might think.
See, gerbils are social creatures like humans and thrive in company.
However, you ought to separate baby gerbils from their mother and opposite-sex siblings before they reach sexual maturity to prevent unwanted breeding.
Yes, female gerbils have the ability to become pregnant even without males present.
Talk about girl power!
Now, this doesn't mean they should live alone either.
Socialization is necessary for gerbils to avoid loneliness.
But keeping them in pairs or groups can sometimes lead to fighting, as conflicts rise regarding who's the boss of the town (or gerbil cage).
It’s just gerbils being gerbils.
They're independent souls, you know?
In short, once your little gerbils start breaking away from mama gerbil, give 'em their own space but introduce some gerbil friends for company. And when it comes time for romance, maybe think twice about putting boys and girls together. You never know what might happen!
If you're curious to learn more about whether gerbils can be toilet trained, check out my article on Can Gerbils Be Toilet Trained. Discover all the fascinating details I found while researching this topic!
Gerbils' Fascinating Eating Habit: Consuming Their Own Poop
Gerbils have a cool eating habit:
They eat their own poop. I know, it sounds gross, but there's actually a reason behind it.
Gerbils engage in a fancy behavior called coprophagy, which basically means they eat their own feces. But before you go "eww," let me explain why.
Gerbils have a really efficient digestive system, but there are certain vitamins and nutrients that their bodies can't absorb the first time around.
So, by chowing down on their poop, gerbils reabsorb those undigested nutrients and make the most out of their food.
Pretty smart, huh?
Here's something interesting:
Gerbils poop out pellet-shaped feces that don't stink at all.
They're super dry and odorless, which makes cage cleaning a breeze.
No nasty smells to worry about!
If you want to spruce up your gerbil's diet, you can give them treats like strawberries, pumpkin seeds, carrots, or dry mixes.
These treats provide extra nutritional benefits alongside their natural poop-eating instinct. Just be sure to do some research and not overfeed them these treats.
Too much can mess with their sensitive tummies. So, next time you catch your gerbil feasting on its own waste, remember how fascinating and resourceful these little creatures are. 😊
And that's all for today, folks!
If you wanna read more of my useful articles, I recommend you check out some of these: Can Gerbils and Rats Get Along, Is My Gerbil Scared of Me, Gerbil Mourning, Maximum Number of Gerbils Allowed in a Single Cage, and Reasons for Gerbils Grooming Each Other
Until next time,
-Alex Amber