tpert
Newborn Degu
Posts: 2
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Post by tpert on Sept 26, 2011 12:52:09 GMT
I had my finger on the outside of the cage, not moving so they get used to my smell and my grey one bit me right through and it's still bleeding! I didn't try to pick him up, and didn't move an inch, now I'm worried it's a vicious one as it wasn't scared.
It vit the pet shop assistant when putting him in the carry case and then bit my bf when he put him in the new cage! I've read that they rarely bite and only when scared... I'm worried this one is just not nice. Should I return him? The other degu we got is lovely, friendly, not bitten once and can already hold him.
Thank for your advice, I'm new to degus
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Post by philbailey1806 on Sept 26, 2011 14:30:26 GMT
Oh dear, I must admit, I've never heard of a degu being vicious before without being pregnant? Did you double chesk the sexes before you brought them home? I realise it may be difficult to sex the one that keeps biting, but maybe you could sex the friendly one? If that one is a girl then chances are that the vicious one isn't pregnant (unless they've been kept in a missexed group by the pet shop) but it's definately worth checking, just to rule it out, there's an excellant guide to sexing degus on degutopia.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 26, 2011 17:32:11 GMT
He may well be rather scared/very shy/nervous about you, being new to you, and is reacting in self-defense even though you've done nothing that appears threatening. You will need to be very slow in approaching him, and very persuasive in earning his trust. Also . . . be sure that you never reach to touch him with hands that may be scented with food or anything tastey . . . give them a warm, soapy wash first. This should hopefully help as well.
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tpert
Newborn Degu
Posts: 2
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Post by tpert on Sept 27, 2011 12:30:43 GMT
Thank. I can confirm that they are both boys! I guess I'll have to be more careful with him, although now I'm too nervous to go near him just in case he bites again.
Got any advice for approaching problematic degus?
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 27, 2011 20:15:38 GMT
I had been in the middle of an reply that involved steps you could follow when we had a massvie power outage here that put everything on hold . . . or on the blink . . . for a while. I've since developed a bad headache and just wanted to let you know I will reply to this again, but am going to put it off for a bit. Sorry about the delay, but thanks for understanding.
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Post by Bexi87 on Sept 27, 2011 22:43:26 GMT
Have you followed the sexing guide on here? Unfortunately it isn't as simple as pet shops say it is and all degus (including girls) have a utheral cone that can be easily mistaken for boy bits! If you aren't sure, try and get a clear picture of both goo's underbellies and we should be able to give an opinion  In terms of the biting, I agree with DC that he may be very shy and scared. The best way to gain trust is to sit by their cage with you hand just inside the cage door. Put some porridge oats on your hand and sit still and eventually he will come to investigate. Just beware that it can take a long time so don't expect miracles overnight |
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