Gerbil behavior in the winter months

[Khrysty]

What is typical gerbil behavior as the weather gets cold?

Sandy (my dad's little girl) has been acting all sorts of crazy the past week or so. She's been unusually active, running from one end of her cage to another for hours, trying to climb the glass, then the metal bars, attempting to chew through her wheel and water bottle (unusual behavior for her--she will usually chew everything BUT those), scratching herself like crazy, drinking excessive (more than normal) amounts of water, and just now she was sitting down and just twitching her hind end for no apparent reason.

Are these behaviors normal in general or for this time of year, or should I be concerned?

 

[Khrysty]

anybody..?

 

[spykerherps]

Wish I could help. from what I know gerbils come from a place that doesn't usually get colder for the winter. ie. africa. perhaps it has something to do with temps and her metabolism.
How old is she and is she housed with any other gerbils?

 

[Khrysty]

She's alone. Shes probably around a year old...we really don't know. Bought her from a local pet store this summer and they said she was "young."

 

[spykerherps]

Sorry a little more research for me. they're from all over don't know which kind you have but they aren't just from Africa.

But from what little research I did I found out. In this persons opinion and many others gerbils should not be kept alone " loneliness makes them apprehensive and even aggressive."
Check out the link.
http://www.thegerbils.com/

 

[Khrysty]

Sorry a little more research for me. they're from all over don't know which kind you have but they aren't just from Africa.

But from what little research I did I found out. In this persons opinion and many others gerbils should not be kept alone " loneliness makes them apprehensive and even aggressive."
Check out the link.
http://www.thegerbils.com/

Thanks. We were considering getting her a friend, but wanted to do a tank upgrade first. We may just have to speed up our plans