Maybe someone can help?

[RW]

I've been trying to pinpoint whether Tweek is Honey Cream or spotted light nutmeg, so maybe some of the color experts here can help?

I thought Tweek was a Honey Cream when I got him, but now I'm not sure. After his first molt, he developed the typical dark nose of a nutmeg. None of the photos I've seen of Honey Creams show them having a dark nose.

Before first molt:



After:



My knowledge of genetics isn't extensive, but here's what I know: Tweek looks like his mom (although I don't remember her having the dark nose) and his dad is a spotted black. There were three pups in Tweek's litter--Tweek, a spotted lilac (my Pogo), and a golden agouti. Going by those colors, here's what I came up with:

Mom: Aa Cch ee G* Pp Sp - Honey Cream

Dad: aa C* Ee G* Pp Sp - Spotted black

Does this sound right? If so, then Tweek could be either Honey Cream or a spotted light nutmeg, depending on which gene, A or a, he inherited from his mom?

Do spotted light nutmegs get black ticking after their first molt like standard nutmegs? Tweek has no black ticking at all.

Any help would be appreciated.

RW

[Gwirrel]

I've never actually seen a spotted Nutmeg before... But I honestly can't tell whether it's a SP DEH or SP Nutmeg... All I have been told is that SP Nutmegs look 'drab' this is because the spotting gene has an effect on the ticking of the hair and so it's not as strong. Which I would therefore expect it just to look like a DEH instead???

Both DEH and Nutmegs have dark noses, it is a typical ee trait. So unfortunately that doesn't help a great deal.

I think I might be more inclined to say it's a Spotted Light DEH, just because it is not as dark as I would expect for a Nutmeg. To be honest though, the only way you will ever know for sure is to breed from him because the spotting and possible c(h) makes it very difficult, if not then you decide whichever colour you want him to be

[sandy2]

sp deh i think.

[queenofthenile]

I agree with Sandy - DEH spotted. Gosh what a pretty gerb! I love DEHs! (and polar foxs, and schimmels, and burmese, and siamese, and... I guess you get the picture ;D)

[RW]

Thanks so much for your help.

I would be equally happy no matter which one he is. Either way, he's an uncommon color, at least in this area, and he has an exceptionally nice temperament with both humans and other gerbils.

RW

[sweetie]

Tweek is gorgeous. It's hard to tell when you can't figure out what the parents were or what the babies are.
Are you going to breed him?

[RW]

Thanks, Sweetie.

I know the parentage of only three of my present gerbils--I know the girl who bred Tweek and Pogo and I've seen their parents. She also bred Puppy. I've never seen his parents, but I know his mom was black and his dad was a pied black. The other five, well, that's anyone's guess.

I don't have any plans to breed in the near future. I don't really have room for any more gerbils right now and I know I'd have a problem relinquishing my pups.

RW