the chase!

[sprigmom]

Okay. You guys with more experience are probably accustomed to weird behavior during gerbil mating, but I was cracking up last night! ;D

I was sitting in our bedroom, watching tv, when I noticed a flurry of movement from the gerbie tank. I looked over and saw Coal chasing Buffy around and around the tank. She'd stop, he'd mount her, bumble around for about 5 seconds, she'd take off again and poor little Coal would look down at himself as if to say, "Wha' happened? Is it broken?" Then he'd take off after her again. This went on for at least a 1/2 hr!

Has anyone seen that kind of behavior? I mean, I expected to see them run around a lot, but I think what struck me as so funny was the way he kept looking down each time after she ran off. I don't think he was grooming; it only lasted a couple of seconds each time.

[darrenb]

This means that she is on heat and he is helping himself to some 'rumpy pumpy'. when they look down at their bits after the event they are grooming themselves.

Usually a good sign of a successful mating is the female grooming her bits after he has mated her. this seems to last upto 2 hours at a time - I guess he doesnt stop till either he feels he has done the job or until the female comes of heat.

good luck with the pups that will be coming soon.

[lydia]

LOL, no Darren, he was checking his bits were still there,that they hadn't worn away and were still firing correctly......'cos surely she was flattered that he fancied her.....shouldn't have been scampering off ;D

Only joking Darren,just in case you don't understand my sense of humour.........

lyd

[sprigmom]

;D

Figured out what the chase was all about....after nagging thoughts all day of checking the gerbils and looking under tissues, etc I finally gave in. Ta da! Two pups! Looks like one will be dark like dad and one light like mom and aunt nibbles!!!!!

It's taking real will power to not pull my son out of school early to show him!!!!

Woo hoo!!! ;D ;D

[lydia]

CONGRATULATIONS , that's lovely news.
I'm shouting, so you'll hear me in Michigan ;D.

Lyd

[andrea]

Congrates ;D

The mating ritual of the mongolian gerbil can be quite amusing at times, round and round, over under toys.. LOL

[lydia]

I'm impressed at his staying power, 5 seconds isn't bad actually.my two were mating the other night,it was only lasting a second..........in fact,I don't think she noticed him impregnate her at all.

Lyd

[andrea]

If she checks her bits after hes done the deed He will check himself everytime, but hes only succeeded when she checks hers

[sprigmom]

We have more! Nibbles had her pups last night. There's 3 more. ;D I can't wait for everyone to get old enough to be able to sex them!

What's really cool is that Buffy and Nibbles have all the pups in one little pile and they're taking turns keeping them warm, etc.

Coal's just sitting off in the other end of the tank in their house. Every once in a while he comes over and burrows in for a few minutes, then leaves again.

OMG!!!! I just went in when my son got home from school and there's now 7 altogether! Somebody was busy after I found the first 3 new ones! Happy happy joy joy!!!!!

[lydia]

Thats lovely,7 little babies .
As soon as you're holding them,you can practice sexing them.Or at least with mice you can,I'm assuming it would be the same for gerbils.

Lyd

[sweetie]

Hey Sprigmom,

Congratulations at your family. I can imagine how excited you are. How does your son like them? Are you going to post pictures ;D? Of course giving them the privacy they need!