Sometimes gerbils other than the mating pair will “catch on” and start pounding their feet too.
The male gerbil, however, could also be doing this to establish dominance and/or mark territory.
The aggressive behavior could also be for a perceived threat unrelated to mating.
Gerbils tend to mate in the evening.
The male will attempt to mount the female in line from behind to get into the correct mating position.
If she turns and faces the male she has rejected the male as a mate. If the female does not turn, but stays in place, she has accepted the mating pair.
Don’t be surprised to see the two parents mate again right away. The male will then often get expelled from the hideaway for a few days before the female lets him help with the babies. Cannibalism is a concern with gerbil mothers and their babies. This is rare and usually only occurs with dead babies or if the mother is highly disturbed or sick.
