very pregnant gerbil

Question
I bought two gerbils from our local pet store about 12 days ago - I was told they were males.  Turns out one is very pregnant!  I don't know if the male I have is the father or not.  Do I separate them?  I have been reading it's good to have the father in the cage to "help".  And if I do have to separate them, can I put a male baby in with my male once it's ok to take them from the mother.  I don't want them to get lonely nor do I want anymore gerbil pregnancies.  Help!  

Answer
Hi there,

Yes i would take the male out now!! It is true that males are good fathers but for the reasons i put next you want to take him out for good!!

1. He may be related to the female, such as a brother, and it is not good for families to inbreed.

2. If you don't take him out now they will mate again the minute the new babies are born.

3. You will always have babies in the cage and the mother can become very exhauseted. So much so it can actually kill her after long periods of time!!

So take the male out now, and once the babies are born you can allow the father in for short periods each day under your supervision so they don't mate!! This way he will get used to the babies, and you should find he will accept one or more of the male babies to live with himm. This does work, as i did this with my gerbils (i have 2 of the boys with dad, and a girl with mum)!!

Good Luck!!
Charlie.