As of October 27, 1999, Ling has died suddenly. She was only about 6 months old. We still do not know the cause of death, but it was very sudden. She had been eating, had fine droppings and everything. That morning she was frisky as ever. Towards the afternoon, however, my mother said she had convulsions and died. There were some drops of blood from her mouth. I do know that about half the gerbil population has a genetic tendency toward epilepsy, and that fits are common, but most gerbils survive them. Perhaps Ling did not. She could also have ingested some toxin or had a blockage. We don't know. We miss you Ling. Damn. It's hard to believe, I finally get around to putting her page up and she dies the very next day. Damn.
As of October 26, 1999, my tribble-mother has obtained a black gerbil for herself. Actually, Ling was purchased in April, but I just now got around to this page. Ling loves to chew through things mainly, and she will take grapes from your hand. So far, she is the tamest rodent we have ever had. She resides in a Habitrail Safari.