Gerbils

why do gerbils eat each other


Why Do Gerbils Eat Each Other?

Gerbils are small rodents that can make great pets – they’re cute, they’re friendly, and they rarely bite. But as with any animal, there are dark sides to gerbils that many owners are unaware of. One of those dark sides is cannibalism – in certain circumstances, gerbils can eat each other.

A Lack Of Options

Cannibalism is a behavior rarely found in animals, and it’s especially rare in domesticated animals, such as gerbils. But it can happen – so why do gerbils do it? One of the primary reasons is because of a lack of food. When gerbils are kept in inadequate enclosures, one of the only ways for them to get additional food is to eat the other members of their group.

Enclosure Conditions

The conditions of a gerbil’s enclosure can also drive them to cannibalism. In some cases, the enclosure may be overcrowded, which can create a lot of stress. Gerbils will then turn to cannibalism as a result of this stress. The enclosure may also not be large enough or not have enough hiding spots, which can also increase the stress level of the gerbils and drive them towards cannibalism.

Other Reasons

There are other reasons why gerbils may eat each other as well. For example, if one gerbil is weak or sick, then it can become a target for the other gerbils in the enclosure. This can lead to the other gerbils tending to feed off of the weaker gerbil. Additionally, cannibalism can be a survival tactic for gerbils if resources are scarce.

Preventing Cannibalism

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent gerbils from eating each other. The most important thing is to ensure that the enclosure is large enough so that the gerbils have plenty of room to move around. It’s also important to ensure that there are enough hiding places and areas of privacy so the gerbils can get away from each other when necessary. Finally, make sure to provide plenty of food and water to the gerbils so they don’t turn to cannibalism out of desperation.

Conclusion

Gerbils are normally friendly and loving animals, but they can turn to cannibalism under certain circumstances. Primarily, this appears to be due to a lack of food, overcrowding, and inadequate hiding places in their enclosure. To prevent cannibalism, make sure to provide plenty of food and appropriate enclosures for your gerbils.

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