When are pups no longer considered pups?

[eleda]

I've read a lot about gerbil pups and gerbil development here and there but I've never seen anything that said flat out "a gerbil is considered an adult when" or something to that extent. I know they can breed as early as 6-8 weeks old, so is that when they pass from puphood into adulthood, even though they're not done growing? I've been curious on this topic because as my gerbils get older I know I will have to consider getting pups for whomever outlives the other, and I'm not sure what a "pup" is

[MoonstoneGerbils]

Gerbils stop being pup like in behavior around 8-10 weeks of age. Under 8 weeks they have very few adult behaviors and are usually very accepting of any other gerbil. They may become sexually active before 8 weeks, and may start behaving as an adult sooner.

In general once they reach about 11 weeks old they mature into adult gerbils with adult behaviors, they are just small and young. This is about as long as a female pup living with her parents will remain sexually repressed. Around 10-11 weeks the females will start to go into regular heat cycles and are fully mature (just not fully grown).

Most females will stop growing by 6 months, while males may still gain mass (not length) and reach full size around a year old.

[eleda]

Thanks so much Moonstone!