Information Provided Gopherland:
Taming A Gopher
To be honest, you really don't need to tame a gopher. With a lot of love and patience, from you, a gopher will the tame itself. I now have four gophers, all were wild caught, and I can handle each and everyone of them. All it took, was for me to prove to them, that I was not going to eat them. So, ignoring all the scared screeching, teeth chattering, and rolling on their backs, baring those sharp little teeth at me, I still would attempt to pet them, and continue to talk to them. Mind you, I was not the only one, in the family, the children, also helped out a lot too. Eventually, the more and more we worked with them, the; less frightened they were We've done this with everyone of our gophers, and not once we're the kids and I ever bitten, to the point that they've drawn blood, even though they are capable of biting that hard. We've been bitten more viciously by the kids Teddy bear hamster that they used to own. I personally find that the gophers, will give a soft nip ( not even nearly as hard as a pinch) to say; "I've had enough". Even to this day, they will very softly nip me, when I am holding them, and they want to get put down.
Housing I currently house my older pair of gophers in a double door ferret cage, and my younger ones in a rabbit cage. In both I have a large coffee can, for something for them to hide in Also, in both cages, I have a large hamster/guinea pig wheel for them. I find this one of the most important things in their cage. This way they can stay active, and get some exercise. Basically as silly as it sounds, I try to treat my gophers, as I would like to be treated, if I was kept prisoner in a cage. I would like a place to hide, something to do, and most importantly some companionship. My personal opinion, is that gophers should be kept in pairs of two. It is extremely important to remember, that gophers in the wild, live in colonies, and are extremely social. Unless, you are constantly available, for your gopher to interact with, then it's just plain cruel to force them to lead a solitary life. As far as bedding goes, etc., I use pine shavings. By raising exotics, I quickly learned that cedar shavings, are not the healthiest thing to use in your small animal's cages. I also like to put hay in there cage too. This way, they can nibble on it, and what they don't eat, they like to use for making a nest. |
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Feeding
For feeding, I mix my own gopher food. Basically I mix my food 75% rabbit pellets, and 25% hamster food (corn, sunflower seeds, etc.). I find you can pretty much free feed them carrots, apples, etc. just about any fruits and veggies, except lettuce. yes, I know they love their lettuce, it's just that theirs no nutritional value to it, for your gophers.
Rectangular horse cookies, or dog bones, are a good treat, that will help your gophers wear their teeth down. Rodent blocks would also be good for this.
In the summer, we pick dandilions, and clover for them. Just make sure that they haven't come in contact with any pesticides. All of my gophers just LOVE grasshoppers. As soon as we toss them in the cage, the gophers pounce on them.
Being that gophers are being kept in the house, the majority don't have any access to places where Caring for Nailsrim your gophers nails, can result in their paws having to be used in unnatural positions, to be able to hold their food. Being that gophers are being kept in the house, the majority don't have any access to places where they can dig. Their little nails, will continue to grow, until it's next to impossible for them to hold their food, in their paws. That is why, it is up to us to trim them.
I must first caution you not to trim any animals nails too far back. This can cause pain and bleeding to occur. Try just to clip the sharper tips. If you don't feel confident, about trimming nails, then take them to a vet to get it done.
I've used a
variety of different techniques for trimming nails. The easiest way, is to simply
have someone hold your gopher, while you do the nails. For those of you, that have gophers
that don't like to be picked up, I suggest doing it right in their cage, while their
laying down. I show them the nail clippers first, so that they could bite at them if they
want, and they can see that they won't hurt them. Then I simply hold their paw in my hand,
and carefully start clipping.
For those of you, whom these ideas don't work . Then try baiting them to the side
of the cage, and when they put their paws up on the bars start clipping. But, there's many
problems with this idea. Firstly, you'll have to be extremely fast. Secondly, you'll
really have to make sure you don't clip to far back. Thirdly, they'll eventually wise up,
and quit coming to the side of the cage for the bait.
If all else fails, find a pair of leather gloves, and find someone to hold them, while you clip thir nails.
Again,
I must stress, if you don't feel confident, about being able to do this, with out injuring
your gopher, then get a Vet to do it.
Nail care is very important!! failing to trim your gophers nails, can result in their paws
having to be used in unnatural positions, to be able to hold their food.
The Healthy Gopher
Basically a happy gopher is a healthy gopher. Your gopher should have a nice smooth, flat coat, bright eyes, and be alert to what's going on. If you have a gopher that just lays there and never has any reaction to you when you open the cage, then I suggest it's time to take him/her to a vet. If your gopher's coat appears to be dirty or parted (not nice and smooth), then it's time to check teeth, and to look into it's diet.
My Thoughts
I feel that it is always important to remember
that we chose to keep these gophers, they did not choose us. That's
why we owe it to them to give them the best care possible. A constant supply of
fresh clean water, a good diet, proper nail and teeth maintenance, a place to
hide, exercise, sunlight, no drafts, socialization, and most
importantly,lots of love and compassion. I wish you and your gopher, the
best of luck:)
Thank you Gopherland For The Use of This Great Information!
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