Observing Behavior of Gerbils
A while back, Stewey and Ying figured out how to get out of there cage. My wife found Ying at the mercy of our youngest cat, Prince. It was a bit sad as I picked up the still warm body of Ying. I was hoping he was still alive, just looking for any sign of breathing. “He’s dead, Lewie”, she said, and I had to agree. She found Stewey downstairs without harm and I carried him in my shirt back to the cage. He was just too wound up and frightened that he would bite, wiggle, scratch anything to get away from anyone.
I’ve noticed some changes since then, now that Stewey doesn’t have his friend around anymore. He isn’t so active. He eats only small portions of food. He doesn’t try and bite me, and he doesn’t run from me. He is still active, but more well manored. He’s even changed his normal sleeping spot to the bottom of the cage.
Is he depressed? Was it that the pair of them encouraged hoarding food? Did they keep each other on there toes? I don’t know. I’m not a gerbil, and I can’t actually communicate with the little fellow to find out.