Holding the plug for long periods of time can cause exophthalmos. This is a condition that causes one or both eyeballs to bulge too much and requires immediate attention from a veterinarian. 9. Why shouldn't gerbils be grabbed or held by the tail? A natural defense mechanism that gerbils have is the ability to shed their skin to escape predators. In captivity, this often happens when the gerbil is grabbed by the tail. If not treated immediately, it may require amputation because once the skin slips, the underlying bone is exposed. The best way to pick up a gerbil is to cup it in your hands. They are much less likely to bite this way.10. Gerbils are monogamous. How important is this to a gerbil colony? Gerbils generally form (monogamous) pairs that last their entire lives. If a mated gerbil loses its mate, it is often known that it will not accept a new mate. The male and female contribute to the education of the young. In the wild, there will usually be only one breeding pair and the rest of the colony will consist of their offspring of different ages. As long as the young are in the nest, they do not reproduce but as soon as they leave, they go in search of a partner of their own species.