Table of Contents
What time of day do gerbils give birth?
Gerbils give birth quickly and quietly, inside or near the nest. Each pup will be less than an inch long, pink, and hairless. The litter may consist of one to ten pups, with the average being 3-6. Labor usually happens in the early hours of the morning.
When can you separate baby gerbils from mom?
six weeks old
To ensure your baby gerbils complete their social and emotional development they should not be separated from their parents until they are at least six weeks old, by which time they are fully independent.
How long does a gerbil pregnancy last?
24 – 26 daysSexually mature
Mongolian gerbil/Gestation period
Why do gerbils eat their babies?
The drive for a gerbil to eat its baby is evolutionary. The reasons are to do with the nutrition of the mother and the rest of the litter. By killing one or two pups, the mother ensures that both the parents and the rest of the litter can survive. What you’ll rarely see is a mother killing her young for no reason.
How many pups can a female gerbil have?
Gerbils can have up to 8 pups per litter, and may get pregnant again straight after giving birth. If you intend to keep them all, you’ll need enough cages to separate the pups into same-sex pairs.
How long does it take for a gerbil to give birth?
Gestation is around 24 days and the female gerbil will remain active until giving birth. She will begin to show a few days before the babies arrive. A typical litter is around six baby gerbils which are called pups. The mother may be nervous so leave her alone while she is giving birth.
How can you tell if a gerbil is pregnant?
Male gerbils are good fathers, and will help take care of the young once they’re born. It can be difficult to tell if a gerbil is pregnant. Their abdomens don’t start to swell until 1-2 days before birth. But if you’ve seen your gerbils mating, it’s safe to assume that pups are on the way.
Is it normal for a gerbil to eat for two?
Although it’s a myth that pregnant mothers should eat for two, some extra food is helpful during pregnancy. If given the chance, gerbils will eat more than usual while they’re expecting. The extra calories, protein, and healthy fats will help their pups grow.