> Is it unhealthy for the pups or the mother if both parents are spotted?
Just
> wondering since I have a spotted pair. I hope that's not bad for them. I
> didn't pair up 2 spotted parents on purpose, I just had a lone spotted
male
> that needed a mate and the pet store I shop from only had a few spotted
> gerbils for sale. ( I don't like to shop from the other stores in my area)
> But I'd like to see what people have to say about the spotted issue..if it
is
> unhealthy I should probably split them..although they're the pair that
seems
> to enjoy each other the most, always playing and grooming each other.
Isn't
> that always the way??
>
> -Angie
>
I believe it is safe to breed two spotted gerbils. What happens is if a pup
has both the spotting genes, it is lethal and the pup is absorbed before it
is ever born. This is why a breeding pair consisting of two spotted parents
will have fewer pups in a litter.
I'm sure some of the experts on the list can explain it better.
I wouldn't worry about. It doesn't harm the parents or the pups that are
born.
Ann-Marie L. Roberts
T&T Gerbils
Escanaba, Michigan
Member of the American Gerbil Society
Pup Count Project creator and maintainer
Please visit my website at:
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Reserve/1928/
