>As I have been suspecting for the past few days, Samantha, our oldest female >was pregnant. I just found a nest of 5 babies in the bottom of the tank. >I've never done this before, but am concerned because Mom has the babies at >the very bottom corner of the tank in an almost completely covered nest >(except for an entrance hole.) I can see them from the outside, and I'm >afraid that they will get lost in the bedding (carefresh) Sometimes mom >digs and the babies end up on the glass tank floor. Is this ok? Is there >something I should do?
Well first :) congratulations - as to the babies being buried. That's fine most new mom's prefer to hide their babies from our prying human eyes. *G* Kind of like me when I had my first child. The glass tank floor should be fine. I wouldn't do anything as you don't know how mom will react. She may bite you if you go near the babies or she may kill the babies and reject them. >There are 3 other females from Sam's last litter in >the tank, and they all take turns going into the nest....Sam is fine with >this so far. I am excited, but concerned. Depending on the age that would be fine. If the females are too old there is a chance that the females could turn on the babies. Females are very territorial. Of course if the females are of breeding age there's also the chance they could be pregnant by dad. Normally over 3 months are sexually mature. >BTW, we removed the dad (our only male) to his own tank yesterday. Will >give him a male pup when they are ready to move. He looks lonely already! Is this a permanent move for Dad? If you try to introduce a male pup later he may kill it. Why did you take out Dad? In most gerbil societies the male and female share in responsibilities. Or do you not want Sam breeding with the male? If you're planning on introducing Dad later you might want to keep a split cage setup with Dad on one side and the females and babies on the other. This will allow Dad to keep their scent but prevents breeding. However, in all likelihood if the babies were born more than one day before you found them your too late to prevent another pregnancy - Gerbils typically breed again within a few hours of birth and yes they can get pregnant *G* My two kick out a litter every 4-5weeks - gestation is 4 weeks. Jenn
