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Post by sfgerbils on Jun 20, 2005 9:43:16 GMT -8
???I feel like I may be seeing things, I thought only schimmels and nutmegs and such molted but I really think that I am seeing my 2 month old black gerbils (whom I originally thought were slate) are molting. The brownish color that had me so confused when they were younger is giving way to a nice coffee black. I have done a lot of research and reading but haven't found anything about black gerbils molting. I can try to take pictures but I was hoping that someone could confirm that black gerbils can and do molt.
Thanks!
Jill
Scarborough Fair Gerbils
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Post by sandy on Jun 20, 2005 11:17:35 GMT -8
Hi Jill,
All gerbils molt, and experience some variation in colour over time as a result. I have noticed that younger black gerbils are lighter than older ones, so this is not unusual. These transitory colour differences are really obvious on lilac, dove and sapphire gerbils, particularly. It's just not an issue that is addressed much, other than in competitions, where points are deducted for any colour of gerbils that are in mid-molt.
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Post by gerbiguy on Aug 11, 2005 12:09:17 GMT -8
Hello  i agree....MY female black gerbil was oh, id say about 4 months old, when i noticed that she had a strange line near her bum, and from the one side she was black, while the other, she was more black.....  She had white toes, white bib, and little white flecks on her ears, and tip of tail. She still does have this unique even though irs been over 3 months. Shes about 7 months old right now, and just had a litter of 7 woinderful babies on july27th. The babies colours include 2 argente patched boys, 1 agouti pied female, 1 agouti patched female, 1 dove female, 1 lilac female, and 1 black female. The father was a argente patched, so i can see where these colours probably come from.  So everyone, who ever wants some unique babies whos willing to come to Guelph Ontario, Come on by and buy a pair. lol, im joking, they r for sale but i doubt ill see anyone whos interested on this foum. MY questions is, what clour if my 'black' female gerbil.. |
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Post by gerbiguy on Aug 11, 2005 12:10:56 GMT -8
btw, i meant from the one side of the line, she was more black, while the other she was more brown!!!!!  |
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Post by sorchajude on Aug 12, 2005 3:34:27 GMT -8
is molting when there hair falls out ?  |
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Post by RyanF on Aug 12, 2005 9:12:25 GMT -8
No. Molting is a change in fur color.
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Post by mice on Aug 12, 2005 9:53:00 GMT -8
No. Molting is a change in fur color. Surely sorchajude was partly right? Molting involves shedding old fur that is then replaced by new fur. Edit-at least that's what I thought, don't tell me I've been wrong all this time?! ;D I'll feel like such an idiot if I am. |
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Post by kansascitykennel on Aug 12, 2005 10:32:22 GMT -8
Surely sorchajude was partly right? Molting involves shedding old fur that is then replaced by new fur.
Edit-at least that's what I thought, don't tell me I've been wrong all this time?! I'll feel like such an idiot if I am.
_____________________
Well its not seen as the fur falling out because it is such a slow process that you don't see patches of fur like when dogs shed. So I would say you are both right.
Kathy
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Aug 12, 2005 10:43:46 GMT -8
Moulting is the shedding of fur and replacement with new fur.
In some gerbils (ie nutmegs) this also means a change of colour as the new coat differs from the old BUT the moult is the process of losing the old fur and growing new NOT the process of changing colour!!
And by the way ALL gerbils moult. In pups you can see it in that fluffy stage when the puppy fur is replaced by an adult coat, in many gerbils it shows as an uneven line across the coat as the moult moves up the gerbils coat, in one case a black gerbil of mine just shed hair like a cat and I was covered every time I handled him!!!
In some gerbils it happens so gradually and evenly that you never notice the moult.
In the UK a moult line will lose the gerbils points in shows and therefore the dread for any breeder approaching a show is that the dreaded moult line will appear!!! In fact I arrived at Southsea, to notice that my burmese pup had a moult line right across his forehead!!!!
in summary a moult is a loss of fur, the moulted hair is replaced with a new coat and that new coat may be a different colour and texture from the old one in some colours!!!
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Post by RyanF on Aug 12, 2005 11:48:01 GMT -8
Yes, but it is not the loss of fur altogether. It is not like insect "molting" where are their skin will be shed and then replaced instantly.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Aug 12, 2005 12:08:18 GMT -8
lol no ryan, as I said its a gradual thing. The new hair grows underneath. It just isn't always connected with colour change etc.
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Post by sorchajude on Aug 12, 2005 12:32:18 GMT -8
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Aug 12, 2005 12:43:21 GMT -8
Actually no
The question is valid and the fact it has created debate about the meaning of 'moult' shows the need for discussion and clarification.
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