Janet Morrow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
> If the gerbils that you have seen are healthy, and striped I would
> buy a pair. It would be interesting to see if they breed true. If
> so it could be a new mutation that represents a new variety and
> color gerbil.
>
> If you do buy one and don't have a website please let me post a
> picture on my site. I am sure that everyone would like to see it.
>
> Also, the question was asked can gerbils be striped. Once there
> was no variety in color and no spotted gerbils. If it was me I
> would go for it!
>
> Janet and Liz
Of course it would be interesting if this proved to be a new mutation.
However, I know of no longitudinal striping mutation in any Cricetid
rodent. Even beyond that, whilst there are species of striped mice,
rats, and ground squirrels, I have never heard of it appearing as a
mutation in, for example mice, where nearly 100 coat colour mutations
have been described.
By contrast, white spotting mutations are extremely common in most
mammal species, even humans.
I am not saying you can not have a striped gerbil, but it would be a
very unusual mutation to appear.
--
Julian
************************************************************************
* Jackie and Julian *
* [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* National Gerbil Society *
* http://www.gerbils.co.uk/ *
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