I got my gerbils before I got Loki. Why? Because I wanted a dog. Erik wouldn't let me get a dog, so I got gerbils. (Prior to this...it was fish...long story...maybe some other time). S'anyway...my dear little gerbils. One is named Chuckles...he is a sandy brown adorable little gerbil who got the name Chuckles because he would run as fast as he could in the wheel then stop running. The wheel continued to rock and he would sit there I swear 'chuckling'. Chuckles he was.
Fang on the other hand....he's the black gerbil. Let's see if you can guess how I came up with that name? Hmmm...well let's see...it was either Fang or Lil F***er....(I even considered Lil Bas***d but didn't think it was fair to his mother since I didn't know her and didn't want to judge). I finally decided on Fang since I knew with all my nieces and nephews coming by and visiting, they might ask me their names and I didn't think Lil F***er was appropriate. Fang he was.
This is Chuckles
This is Fang.
I've had Chuckles and Fang for a little over 2 years. They have a 2-5 year life expectancy and so far they're both hanging in there just fine. In all fairness...Fang has become a little more mellow when it comes to biting. Now he just nibbles. No blood involved. He still fights me when I try to pick him up, but I'm a lot more stubborn (and bigger) than him. I WILL win! Chuckles on the other hand...he's my little bubby...he's the sweetheart of the two. It's a total joy to watch him play.
Something new just recently happened and I felt the need to write about it. These two have lived together in total happiness with each other all this time. One day, I noticed that they were each sleeping on opposite ends of the tank. (I chose a tank over a cage...much easier to keep the area around it clean). That has NEVER happened. They have always slept together in a little cave that they make each time I clean out the tank. Now, if Chuckles went anywhere near Fang, Fang would start chasing him and Chuckles would go flying across the tank. What the hell?!?!?! So I did some research. Not to get into too much lengthy detail...what is going on is Fang is de-clanning Chuckles. I had to separate them or Fang would most likely kill Chuckles. This apparently is quite common.
They actually suggest getting a couple of 'pups' and put one in with each gerbil and they won't get lonely. Ummmm....let's see....so...I get 2 more gerbils and put one in each tank with each gerbil. So when they eventually de-clan, I'll go from 4 gerbils to what...8 gerbils!?!??!?!?! REALLY?!?!??!?! No...just ain't happenin! It was also suggested to get a couple of females. Ok...let's think about that. Female gerbils can have 7 babies at a time...several times a year. I could have hundreds of gerbils by the end of the year. Uh....I'm afraid I'm gonna have a couple of lonely gerbils. I try to give them as much attention as I can, but they just ain't gettin no company. (I did try putting Chuckles back in with Fang after a day or so, but when Chuckles went flying across the tank again, I thought better of it).
Now what I find is the funny part...apparently, they each had a specific job to do when building their 'sleeping quarters'. Fang chewed everything up and Chuckles put the 'cave' together. I never really thought much of it till I separated them. Now, it's just too funny. I look in each tank and Fang has his stuff all chewed up but not really what you would call a home...it was kind of scattered. Chuckles paper and stuff was still all in one piece but put together (although kinda lookin like a worn down shack) into a little cave.
Animals are such funny little creatures. They each have their own little personalities and they really are such a joy to watch. Dogs, cats, gerbils...even fish.
All creatures great and small, God made them all.
Funny, I trap similar critters in the garage all of the time! My son had white mice, and one did kill a couple of tank mates. Best to separate them before it happens.
ReplyDeleteWe had two ginnie pigs. They were so much fun and easier to take care of than a rabbit who gnawed on telephone wires. Those days we did not even have cell phones. It took us good twenty four hours to find out that our phone was not working. It payed us right for not building the poor rabbit a hutch.
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda! So good to have you back...and what a cute story you've shared here today. Just what I needed. As you say, all creatures, great and small are remarkable and each has its own personality, This is just too, too sweet :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me like Chuckles and Lil F#*, I mean Fang may just need some counseling. It's a shame after all of this time that they feel the need to separate!
ReplyDeleteI think separations are sad. If only they could try to forgive one another? But I know, sometimes the relationship just can't survive.
It's sad. But the thought of Chuckles flying across the tank is a funny one! Just don't let them know that I said so! Love Di ♥
I.M. thinkin' that blogs is like cakes. Some is wonderful and some is half baked. I.M. not sayin' which category this one falls underneath, but Fang the gerbil do take the cake. Thanks fer bringin' some sunshine to my otherwise cloudy day.
ReplyDelete