un motherd baby gerbils

Question
i have 4 2 week old baby gerbils and the mother escaped her cage and was killed by my pitbull. she never really payed much attention to the rodents we have until just recently trying to eat my wonderful amazing sweet pet rat. my rat Lilly just weaned her first litter of babies and still had some milk left. i have no idea how to take care of the baby gerbils so i introduced lilly to the babies and she took to them like her own. i just want to know if its ok. she gets mad when we tried to change the food and litter in the aquarium. she hasnt tried to hurt them just me and my gf( warning nibbles )i just want to know if the babies will be able to survive off of rats milk or do i need to get baby formula

Answer
Hi Marcus

I read your questions in the wrong order I'm afraid.

I would think that rats milk is fine for the gerbils, but it might be worth checking this with a vet if you know any that specialise in small animals. Assuming they are feeding from her, then this is their best chance of survival - plus she will be keeping them warm.  The fact that they are 2 weeks old is good as they have gone past the real danger age, but every day that they survive the more chance that they will be fine.

I will double check this with a small animal expert who knows more about rats and I'll pass on any information they give me.

Regards
Sheila