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Gerbil just gave birth

21 13:33:20

Question
Hi, my daughter recued two gerbils from the pet shop. They were going to be fed to a snake so she couldn't bare the thought and they gave them to her. They told her they were both males, but, guess what? we have babies! Anyway do we have to separate the male from them? Please help,we wouldn't want anything to happen to them since their parents had a second chance. Thank you, Michelle Divincenzo

Answer
Hi Michelle,

If you think you can handle two litters then leave the dad in. When the pups turn 5 weeks old you can take the boy pups out with dad and he'll have company this way.

Sexing pups... at around 5 days old your little pink pups should be getting fuzz and fur. You can pick up the pups and check their tummies. If you see nipples then they're girls, if you don't they're boys. As the fur comes in better it'll be more obvious and easier to tell. Now when the fur comes in fully you won't be able to tell again until they're 5-6 weeks old so jot down who's a boy and who's a girl when they're still young.

Gerbils rebreed the night they give birth so chances are your mom gerbil is already pregnant again with litter number two. If you keep watch on them and separate out dad with his sons at 5 weeks then you'll be ok and won't have a third litter. If mom gets really fat and obviously pregnant before the pups are 5 weeks old then you can take the pups out but try to make sure they're at least 32 days old first.

If you are concerned if they're nursing you can peek in the nest and see if you see a white strip on the tummy. If you do then they're nursing. If you don't then look to see if their skin is really wrinkly or smooth. If its smooth then they're ok.

If you have any more questions please email me at gerbilheavenkennels@yahoo.com I breed gerbils and can help with more questions.

Ashley