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Post by esztershine on Sept 17, 2011 14:44:16 GMT -8
If you are lurking around their tank you may make them restless. As you sad you went out and when you got back they looked calmer. It is their first litter so probably still new to parenthood though the Instinct is telling them to feed them, keep them safe and warm. P maybe carries the pup as she is looking for another spot to 'hide' it. In larger litters mum may splits them to more then one group. She can feed one group while dad keeps the others warm then swap. As gerbils cant count they may split the group into 1-4. But it might not be the case at all. Maybe she just carries the pup to take it back home but hesitating where Is the safest or the pup 'slipped' out of the nest. I would say, don't worry, let them get used to their family, leave them in piece and quiet for a few days. Seeing the milk in the tiny bellies is a good sign though, looks like P is a great mummy
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Post by blocketh on Sept 17, 2011 16:07:37 GMT -8
yeah, I've tried to stay out of there as much as possible. I've been keeping the lights off, using my fan as white noise to drown out other noises that may drive them crazy, and keeping a blanket over the tank, and they do great with that on there. They were quiet and slept for a good couple hours and the pups got to nurse while P'nelle slept. But, as of right now they're mating... so pups everywhere! Thanks- I didn't consider that she could be trying to do that. It makes sense. One thing that's cracking me up though... Sometimes S'basti walks over to the pups, sniffs em, and then kicks the bedding on them to cover them up. Maybe he thinks they are giant pink squirmy poo poo.
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Post by blocketh on Sept 17, 2011 18:06:52 GMT -8
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Post by blocketh on Sept 17, 2011 18:08:41 GMT -8
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Post by blocketh on Sept 17, 2011 19:45:52 GMT -8
Well I've decided that if every one of these pups is still alive in the morning... well it will surely be something. Penelope and Sebastian just get so wild when they're mating... and once, when Sebastian jumped for Penelope, she darted off, kicking a pup, and I saw a couple drops of blood on him. I've heard about pups being kicked... but not blood. I'm almost positive it was on the pup. I was glad to see though that they immediately tended to the injured pup, and as of right now theyre all still alive and kickin' (this happened about 20-25 mins ago), pink, and nursing from mom... I just wish they'd get the mating over with.
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Post by belldandy on Sept 17, 2011 20:47:24 GMT -8
aww such cute pups!! i think they will be ok the mateing will be an all day thing.. in my litters i had noticwed time from time some pups wit bite/teeth marks on they from moms rough handling and even one had a bite that had a smal flap of skin hanging but within days it was pretty much heald up.. they are made for the though love from mom and dad!! just keep an eye im sure it will be ok,, it can be very nerv racking... everyday they get stronger!!
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Post by esztershine on Sept 17, 2011 23:52:46 GMT -8
As about the colours, it is too early to tell. But you may have some red/pink eyed pups as well as dark eyed ones. The pictures are adorable. I would try giving them a bit more toilet paper to shread for the nest though, as I think that would make P feel safer to cover all the pups up in soft duvet
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Post by cheekygerbils on Sept 18, 2011 6:00:55 GMT -8
The picture of Seb copying Penelope really made me giggle
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Post by blocketh on Sept 18, 2011 19:48:46 GMT -8
Well- They're all still here! I need to stop doubting! lol esztershine- yeah, I have a feeling it'll be a few days before you can tell squat about the colors lol They should all be creams, similar to Sebastian and Penelope, as they are ee(f) and ee. I do try often to give her more toilet paper, but all they do is shred it up and then they don't put it in their nest, and it's just mixed in with the bedding... They've got at least 30 squares in there! lol belldandy- thank you. Your comment helped me sleep better last night! haha The pup that got kicked, has a small black scab on his little shoulder, but seems to be doing just fine otherwise. One of them already looks as if they will be pied (at least that's just the way the pigment is coming in) so I'm able to tell three of them apart. The two darker ones because one of them is the one that looks pied, the other one does not as of yet, and then one of the lighter ones because of the little darling's scab. Penelope is doing a great job keeping track of them, and Sebastian is doing a wonderful job stealing pups for himself. I don't think the pups get very happy when they find out dad doesn't have any milkies though! hehe. It's amazing me how big they are already getting in just two days!! Looking forward to seeing them grow bigger each day. Sorry for no pics, my computer that I upload all my pictures on to (simpler to juist keep em on one comp) isn't receiving any internet from our stupid router. In order to get the router to work properly, one must stand by the router with their hand on it, while the other person in the kitchen (where the laptop stays) gets it to connect, while turning their chair and body a certain way as to not interfere with the connection. There must also be no one inbetween the router and the computer, meaning no one can be in the lvingroom, parents room, hallway, bathroom, or half of the kitchen... And then if you DO get it work (bout a 35% chance of that actually working) then who knows how long it will work... Sooo no internet really lol
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Post by blocketh on Sept 19, 2011 20:54:40 GMT -8
Everyone is still peachy. Gosh, they get so big so fast!! I can't believe how much bigger they already are... Can't wait to continue watching them grow. They're so darlin'! One has beautiful markings already. Looks like his/her mommy.
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Post by esztershine on Sept 20, 2011 1:04:33 GMT -8
aaaawwww lovely news Blocketh see? mum and dad are very good at their job
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Post by belldandy on Sept 20, 2011 7:43:24 GMT -8
awsome!! pics pics pics!!!
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Post by NineBeauties on Sept 20, 2011 8:05:27 GMT -8
Any news on the babies yet? My five babies are still doing great, they have fur now and they can crawl a little. Some more than others. It looks like there are three ginger-ish ones, a very light blonde one, if not white. Then there is a darker brown-ish ginger one that could turn out to be a nutmeg? I don't know much about fur patterns and stuff. I guess I'll just wait and see:)
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Post by blocketh on Sept 20, 2011 18:00:29 GMT -8
They're all splendid today, too! They continue to turn into little giants! lol They're so fat! yes ezstershine- they are wonderful. Belldandy- I should have some soon!! Gerbilicious- aaaw!! That's great! What were the parents? Mine will probably have similar coloring. Currently- I have two dark ones. One has a tiny strip of lighter pigment on it's head, the other one has a beautiful full collar and blaze right now. Hope it stays full! Then I have the lighter ones- I know at least one is a little darker than the other lighter ones, there may be another who is a lil darker as well- I haven't really sat down and spent awhile figuring it out. lol
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Post by blocketh on Sept 20, 2011 19:13:42 GMT -8
Okay... I know I have some differences in genders. And I've noticed that some people are able to tell the genders they have when they're about the age of my pups... And I'm like- how the heck? lol but I'm sure it because of all of their experience... Anyways, I suppose I'll have to wait like most normal folks to properly sex them. Again, I'm just impatient. Also... I noticed one of the babies' ears (at least I've only noticed one) has popped out. Isn't it a little soon? idk. hmm. I had something else to say... but I forgot... oh well. They are getting peach fuzz!
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