Post by randomname on Oct 7, 2017 9:26:11 GMT
Help!
I've been spending some time with Dame Maggie. She has become really friendly, but still quite skittish. She begs for attention if anyone is in the room, just like the boys do. She comes to the cage door when you go over, she wants to interact. She takes treats, eats next to me & when spooked, she doesn't go far or hide totally & she's back within a few seconds. I'm really happy with all this progress. I'd say she's settled in well. She won't let me stroke her or pick her up yet or anything, but she does climb on my hands & lower arms .....
and she looooves to nibble me.
This is NOT a normal nibble. I know chins like to do it, all my guys have done it/do it. The degus do it too. They usually go for a thumbnail, but sometimes it's skin. It's exactly the same with both species, usually just a gentle teeth scrape but some times a tiny painless nip - like they're just testing to see if you're edible. They usually hold your hand still with their little handies while doing it. I always feel honoured & just let them.
HOWEVER Dame Maggie really gnaws, like she's chewing wood. It's not biting, it's much more gentle than that. She doesn't break the skin, but it blimming hurts. It's not like any other critter I've known. It's insistent as well, she won't stop, it's her favourite thing to do. She turns my hand around so she can chew the same place on my knuckle. I tried just letting her, but it hurts too much. I made a pain sound & she stopped, but started again.
What is she doing & why? I wonder if it's the same thing she does when she's hair pulling? Or is she warning me & still not relaxed? (maybe she's not being friendly & this isn't the same as when other critters do it?) I mean, she's definitely still high alert, but she seems friendly rather than aggressive.
darthchinchi you seem like the best person to ask - any ideas?
Anyone?
I've been spending some time with Dame Maggie. She has become really friendly, but still quite skittish. She begs for attention if anyone is in the room, just like the boys do. She comes to the cage door when you go over, she wants to interact. She takes treats, eats next to me & when spooked, she doesn't go far or hide totally & she's back within a few seconds. I'm really happy with all this progress. I'd say she's settled in well. She won't let me stroke her or pick her up yet or anything, but she does climb on my hands & lower arms .....
and she looooves to nibble me.
This is NOT a normal nibble. I know chins like to do it, all my guys have done it/do it. The degus do it too. They usually go for a thumbnail, but sometimes it's skin. It's exactly the same with both species, usually just a gentle teeth scrape but some times a tiny painless nip - like they're just testing to see if you're edible. They usually hold your hand still with their little handies while doing it. I always feel honoured & just let them.
HOWEVER Dame Maggie really gnaws, like she's chewing wood. It's not biting, it's much more gentle than that. She doesn't break the skin, but it blimming hurts. It's not like any other critter I've known. It's insistent as well, she won't stop, it's her favourite thing to do. She turns my hand around so she can chew the same place on my knuckle. I tried just letting her, but it hurts too much. I made a pain sound & she stopped, but started again.
What is she doing & why? I wonder if it's the same thing she does when she's hair pulling? Or is she warning me & still not relaxed? (maybe she's not being friendly & this isn't the same as when other critters do it?) I mean, she's definitely still high alert, but she seems friendly rather than aggressive.
darthchinchi you seem like the best person to ask - any ideas?
Anyone?