adult color change?

[Francesca Hartop]

Hi, I'm new to your listserv, but have had gerbils for a couple of years now.  Recently we had a lilac female, during the last week or so of her pregnancy, change from a solid light color lilac, to light lilac with some dark lilac stripes.  We are now 2 months post-birth, and it seems that her color now has these different shades of lilac permanently.    Has anyone else seen this?  Does anyone know what causes this?  I know human females can get a mask of pregnancy, which generally fades/disappears after a while, but don't know that gerbil fur should work the same!   Any thoughts, please share.  Thank you!   francesca Ohio