Right, now little Melv is old enough to live without his mummy. But there is the problem of him getting lonely, even if he can be alone. We had two options, one: we could try to indruduce Melville to his brother and father in the other tank (there are safe ways of doing this), or two: keep Melv in a tank on his own, but make sure he gets a lot of attention and keep changing his toys so he doesn't get lonely or bored. I decided I could manage that, it is fun playing with him, so it's all cool!
A little later on, something sad happened. Cammie, Cassie and Zaphod seemed perfectly happy in their tank, but then I noticed Cammie and her mum were chasing each other around in a definately-not-playful way.
At first we thought it was just them sorting out who was the boss, as animals do. But two days after, I was changing their food and water and I saw Cammie's body.
We're still not sure why it happened, though a friend suggested it was because the girls could smell Zak and Junior the other side of the room. Or it could be neither Cammie nor Zaphod would stand down.
Of course I was upset, but the main thing was not to blame Zaphy, it's nature and there's nothing you can do about it. Sigh! Don't worry, Zaphoe, I still love you!
And a week later I saw Zaphod chasing Cassie around. Quick! We cleaned out a mucky tank that used to be a frog's home and relocated Cassie into it. Phew! Won't do for a permanent home, but at least they'll both live!
About a week ago now, I took Melville out of his tank and let him run around my room. After a bit of exploring, he found the perfect hideout: underneath my bookshelf!
Uh, Melv, I need to go to bed now. Are you going to come out?
"Nope, I like my new burrow thanks!"
So he stayed out for the night. To tell you the truth, I had a bad night. I kept suddenly remembering he was loose, and I suppose that affected my dreams and sub-conscious clock because I woke up at about 3:30am!
The next night Melville stubbornly avoided a half-hearted capture attempt, but I slept normally that time.
And the next night...and the one after that...and the one after th...Until I decided he could live out in my room permanently. I cordonned off the area by my door with a gerbil-enclosure fence so everyone could get in and out without worrying and...Melv learnt to climb along the top of the skirting-board! After a bit of shifting stuff around I made it so he couldn't get to that part of it, and...he gave up. Yay!
And so we're all living in peace and happiness (touch wood). How's it going guys? Everyone happy?
"I seem to have stopped growing, but...I'm okay!"
"Get off, Junior, you little rogue!"
