I was given gerbil two weeks ago, they had said the gerbil was with a large amount of other gerbils, well about seven days ago I noticed she was looking really plump now she is very fat.. I've been thinking she was pregnant since the first time she has looked plump, however I have read just a few days before labor they are to look pregnant.. so how many more days until she has these babies? And what can I do to prevent her from eating them?
2007-01-24 10:00:47 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Sounds like babies are on the way. Our female looked fat about 1 week before she gave birth. you should not have to worry abut mom eating the babies, she will do this if the babies are sick, but if they are healthy she should take good care of them, even if it is her first litter. Our mom gerbil did a great job with her first litter, and do to cage problems we still had dad in there too and he was an excellent dad, he didn't eat a one!!!! remember to put a little extra bedding in her cage and maybe a few tissues or some toilet paper, she will make a nest, they even like cardboard tubes to shew up and nest in, and don't worry mom will do all the work, you may not even know until a few days after she gives birth. They come out naked and pink and really small, it takes a couple of weeks for them to open their eyes and start getting fur and they will be ready for a new home about 6 weeks after birth, you should see them eating food and not nursing anymore. Enjoy, gerbils are a lot of fun, oh I would try and maybe keep a girl too they like to live with others!!!! Have fun good luck
2007-01-24 11:19:54 · answer #1 · answered by casey_sar 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sorry sweetie, can't do anything to prevent her from eating them. Sometimes thats just what gerbils do. I bread rats for 11 years and they do get fatter and fatter, and the gestation period is roughly 2 weeks. Her stomach will get really tight and she will start to "nest" (frantically gather things to make a comfy bed) when labor is near.
2007-01-24 10:09:59 · answer #2 · answered by Purple Pixie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, sure sounds like it. You can't prevent her, but put her in a cage by herself with lots of nesting material and don't disturb her. The safer she feels, the less she'll be likely to protect her young by eating them. And please, pleeease try to resist peeking at the babies. Leave her alone as much as possible, except to change the water and food. If you keep peeking at babies, she'll feel threatened.
2007-01-24 10:08:10 · answer #3 · answered by T J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can't prevent her from eating them, but wait till the babies are weaned, and look healthy and independent, and then seperate them, by leaving the mothers and daughters together, (if their aren't too many) and put the boys in a seperate cage, good luck!!
2007-01-24 12:50:51 · answer #4 · answered by ferrets4ever 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋