Are my Bushy Tailed Jirds getting Fat?

[andrea]

Everytime I see pics of everyone elses bushies I look at mine ad think are mine fat or just furrier?.

Does anyone know the ideal weight of an average male bushy?..

Heres the guilty party...









Look how small they were when we first got them home at 5 weeks old..





That little white house thing they couldn't get one cheek of their bums in and when they were 5 weeks old both slept in there at the same time. its now a lemming bed!...

Am I just being paranoid?

Andrea

[Ritzie/Admin]

I don't know as I haven't them myself, but I know some of my duprasi gerbils look fat, because they have a very thick fur.

This is what I found: Weight in captivity 80-95 grams. The average weight of wild specimens is considerably less, at about 45 grams. Males are generally a little larger than females.
from: www.jirds.cwc.net/rag/profiles/btjd.htm

And:
In captivity they weigh about 80 - 95 gr., whereas the wild animals weigh only about 45 gr.
from: www.gerbil-info.com/html/othersekeetuk.htm

So most likely the weight is correct! How much do your bushy-tailed jirds weigh?

[andrea]

Thanks Peter, they are slightly over, at 100grams, however a) they are really wriggly and b) my scales are not digital so not 100% accurate. so I guess they are probably fine, they obviously just have very furry coats!..

Has anyone else had bushies?. mine have really long nails but there is no way on this earth they are gonna sit still long enough to let me cut or file them. I have got wood and things in the tank that they climb. Has anyone tried budgie paper in the bottom of the tank for bushies or any other animal?.

They are such funny little characters, so mischeivious. last night we were about to go to bed and I turned round to see two bushies sitting up in there tanks side by side as if to say. come one go to bed so we can be naughty!!!.... Only draw back is they are nocturnal so we very often don't see them all day at all. But they don't seem to mind being woke up. if you are quick enough to catch them and strong enough to hold them still... But 'touch wood' I have never been bittern and they have shown no sign of any aggression ever..

I very much recommend that have them if you ever are fortunate enough to get hold of/be offered some/find some for sale..

Oops I am waffling again..
Andrea

[maiziecat17]

My gerbil is really old and really fat any tips on how to slim him donw? i dont want to risk him going to an early grave