Post by Amorok on Jan 31, 2005 20:55:23 GMT -8
A couple of weeks ago I was sold 3 gerbils (by a pet store) already living together. I was told they were 2 males and a female (about 3 months old). They told me this combo was fine. I kept them together in a 35 gallon tank, and anxiously assumed they would breed soon. I learned the hard way that I should have determined gender myself. I was gone over a long weekend and returned to find not one but two nests with a total of 13 babies.
In reality, I had two females and a male. The babies are about 4-5 days old now, healthy, and plump and growing fast. It's absolutely amazing. Everything I read says this scenario won't often work, but they are cooperating completely to take care of the babies. I have no idea which babies belong to which female because they just seem to "tag-team" nurse. they alternate nests and all the babies seem to nurse from both females. The male snuggles into both nests to clean and warm them from time to time. I have noted absolutely no aggression by any of the adults.
Should I do anything??? Separate the male out? I don't know how I would separate out a female and pups, not knowing which pups go with which female. They are doing wonderfully, I'm just fearful (from what I keep reading) that this could change.
I know both females are probably already pregnant again and am making plans to avoid this happening again. I believe I can find good homes for these gerbils. What do do?
Help?
In reality, I had two females and a male. The babies are about 4-5 days old now, healthy, and plump and growing fast. It's absolutely amazing. Everything I read says this scenario won't often work, but they are cooperating completely to take care of the babies. I have no idea which babies belong to which female because they just seem to "tag-team" nurse. they alternate nests and all the babies seem to nurse from both females. The male snuggles into both nests to clean and warm them from time to time. I have noted absolutely no aggression by any of the adults.
Should I do anything??? Separate the male out? I don't know how I would separate out a female and pups, not knowing which pups go with which female. They are doing wonderfully, I'm just fearful (from what I keep reading) that this could change.
I know both females are probably already pregnant again and am making plans to avoid this happening again. I believe I can find good homes for these gerbils. What do do?
Help?
