Post by Die Fledermaus on Sept 9, 2004 6:09:06 GMT -4
They were my first gerbils: Cliffy the golden, and his three black nephews Tommy, Dill, and Phil. I got them from a breeder in Long Island who I met at the huge Jamaica train station in Queens, New York. Along with them also came Cliffy's sisters, Crystal and Chrissie. That was in July of 2002. I actually missed my stop as I was watching them in their Critter Carriers on the subway.
All went fine for over two years, the gang in their 20 gallon tank. I have posted many photos of it and them.
August 20th I noticed Tommy was not appearing from under the cardboard level I created when it was feeding time. I searched in the tank thinking he had escaped somehow; sadly, he had not - he was dead under some bedding. he may have been dead for at least a day, maybe two. i could see no injuries, but who knows?
I cleaned the tank, and we went on. . . or so I thought. days later I heard odd loud running noises, and later I saw Dill drinking strangely with his head bent to the side. He had a big bite! Everything seemed alright; they seemed to be getting along, so I thought it an aberration. Big mistake!
A day later Phil did not come out for his food. I searched again, and he was hiding inside a wooden block, more seriously biten than Dill, who I assume "won" the rematch between them. Phil actually seemed to have lost his lower lip. He was sluggish but not lethargic.
I separated everyone, and then put each in with Cliffy - nothing. I put Phil and Dill in with each other and they immediately fought, until I broke it up a second later.
I can only assume Tommy died of natural causes, and that upset the hierarchy in the tank. Does anyone have a better guess? I heard of older females fighting, but not males.
Phil slowly slipped away over the next several days despite antibiotic ointment and even warmed baby food eyedropper feedings. He passed away five days ago.
The 20 gallon tank is now occupied by four young female pups I rescued from a shelter. But I will always think of it as the home of the Gang of Four.
Tommy was a very big favorite - smart, curious, confident, and friendly. I do not know if he was dominant in the clan; he was slightly smaller than the others, but that proves nothing.
He will be greatly missed. I also mourn Phil, who had always been the most timid of the clan, but became much less so in recent months.
I will post some photos of battle-scared Dill as time permits, along with some images of Phil and Tommy. Later.
Meanwhile, Cliffy and Dill are living quietly together.
BOTTOM LINE: Immediately as your gerbils start fighting separate them right away and permanently. Another lesson I sadly learned through experience.
Sadly, soon after I lost Chrissie, Dill's aunt. That is in a separate thread.
Dill after his battles. The left side was from the rematch in which he inflicted mortal wounds on his brother, Phil. His right side was from the earlier skirmish in which Phil was uninjured.
Dill apears to be recovering fine and is frisky and normal
In happier times:
Dill
Tommy, RIP
Cliffy
Phil, RIP
All went fine for over two years, the gang in their 20 gallon tank. I have posted many photos of it and them.
August 20th I noticed Tommy was not appearing from under the cardboard level I created when it was feeding time. I searched in the tank thinking he had escaped somehow; sadly, he had not - he was dead under some bedding. he may have been dead for at least a day, maybe two. i could see no injuries, but who knows?
I cleaned the tank, and we went on. . . or so I thought. days later I heard odd loud running noises, and later I saw Dill drinking strangely with his head bent to the side. He had a big bite! Everything seemed alright; they seemed to be getting along, so I thought it an aberration. Big mistake!
A day later Phil did not come out for his food. I searched again, and he was hiding inside a wooden block, more seriously biten than Dill, who I assume "won" the rematch between them. Phil actually seemed to have lost his lower lip. He was sluggish but not lethargic.
I separated everyone, and then put each in with Cliffy - nothing. I put Phil and Dill in with each other and they immediately fought, until I broke it up a second later.
I can only assume Tommy died of natural causes, and that upset the hierarchy in the tank. Does anyone have a better guess? I heard of older females fighting, but not males.
Phil slowly slipped away over the next several days despite antibiotic ointment and even warmed baby food eyedropper feedings. He passed away five days ago.
The 20 gallon tank is now occupied by four young female pups I rescued from a shelter. But I will always think of it as the home of the Gang of Four.
Tommy was a very big favorite - smart, curious, confident, and friendly. I do not know if he was dominant in the clan; he was slightly smaller than the others, but that proves nothing.
He will be greatly missed. I also mourn Phil, who had always been the most timid of the clan, but became much less so in recent months.
I will post some photos of battle-scared Dill as time permits, along with some images of Phil and Tommy. Later.
Meanwhile, Cliffy and Dill are living quietly together.
BOTTOM LINE: Immediately as your gerbils start fighting separate them right away and permanently. Another lesson I sadly learned through experience.
Sadly, soon after I lost Chrissie, Dill's aunt. That is in a separate thread.
Dill after his battles. The left side was from the rematch in which he inflicted mortal wounds on his brother, Phil. His right side was from the earlier skirmish in which Phil was uninjured.
Dill apears to be recovering fine and is frisky and normal
In happier times:
Dill
Tommy, RIP
Cliffy
Phil, RIP
