Gerbils are intelligent animals. Having taken care of various animals, Im surprised to see that a gerbil distinct itself from many other animals.
The best difference is that they are not dominantly nocturnal animals.
You are less likely to be awoken by a screeching running wheel while you are sleeping at night. They will go to sleep with you.
The best difference is that they are not dominantly nocturnal animals.
You are less likely to be awoken by a screeching running wheel while you are sleeping at night. They will go to sleep with you.
Day 3 - So small, so little movement, looks like a plastic toy, feels like really soft skin
7th December.
One of the major things I've noted with the gerbils is that in the first few days, only 1 gerbil will sleep with the young, while the rest of the gerbils tend to sleep in another location. It is too soon to take this as a fact. It can just be a coincidence, but I've made note of this living characteristics so far. In a video attached below, you will see in detail what I mean regarding their sleeping habits.
It may be a way to protect the young. After all, if all of them sleep together as a bunch, they become more visible to predators.
This is further confirmed during the day when the grown ups will cover the young pups under a layer of wood shavings (yes you can hardly see the pups from above), and continue their daily activities like as though the pups don't exist. But if you try digging the pups out, the grown ups (mainly mother) will run out to check if the pups are fine.
One of the major things I've noted with the gerbils is that in the first few days, only 1 gerbil will sleep with the young, while the rest of the gerbils tend to sleep in another location. It is too soon to take this as a fact. It can just be a coincidence, but I've made note of this living characteristics so far. In a video attached below, you will see in detail what I mean regarding their sleeping habits.
It may be a way to protect the young. After all, if all of them sleep together as a bunch, they become more visible to predators.
This is further confirmed during the day when the grown ups will cover the young pups under a layer of wood shavings (yes you can hardly see the pups from above), and continue their daily activities like as though the pups don't exist. But if you try digging the pups out, the grown ups (mainly mother) will run out to check if the pups are fine.
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On the 3rd day, we make note of one of the pups. You will notice exciting and interesting changes when the pups grow up. Notice the skin texture, hands, nose and mouth. They seem all sealed up and joint; undefined,
Definition begins to happen later on in their life. |
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The grown ups will take turns to sleep with the pups, but until later on in their lives (close to 1 week later), I hardly see them sleeping as a huge family. |
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In this video, if we quieten down, we can hear the squealing sounds of the young pups. They tend to squeal a lot more after the 7th day. |
Day 4 - Hide and seek from predators start today
8th December.
4th day in. We observe 2 main differences today.
1. The gerbils have covered the pups entirely with a thick layer of wood shavings. No easy sign of them can be observed from the top of the tank.
2. The pups are more active. Move more, but still stick within a 6 - 8cm radius of where all the pups are.
One of the young gerbil got adopted. That means only 3 grown gerbils left to take care of the young pups!
After that has occurred, the adult gerbil covers the young pups entirely with wood shavings (This has never been observed before.)
Before today, the young pups are usually left slightly exposed.
Could the adult pup have covered the young pups entirely so it can search for its daughter?
The 3 gerbils have also begun to dig and sniff much more as though in search for something/someone missing.
How long with such a behaviour last? Is it happening because of 1 missing gerbil? Or are they doing it just because they enjoy digging around and are trying to have fun?
Today, we can also observe that the young pups begin to move with a little more energy, but still sticking within the area. Little difference observed from the previous day, but still some significant differences observed.
4th day in. We observe 2 main differences today.
1. The gerbils have covered the pups entirely with a thick layer of wood shavings. No easy sign of them can be observed from the top of the tank.
2. The pups are more active. Move more, but still stick within a 6 - 8cm radius of where all the pups are.
One of the young gerbil got adopted. That means only 3 grown gerbils left to take care of the young pups!
After that has occurred, the adult gerbil covers the young pups entirely with wood shavings (This has never been observed before.)
Before today, the young pups are usually left slightly exposed.
Could the adult pup have covered the young pups entirely so it can search for its daughter?
The 3 gerbils have also begun to dig and sniff much more as though in search for something/someone missing.
How long with such a behaviour last? Is it happening because of 1 missing gerbil? Or are they doing it just because they enjoy digging around and are trying to have fun?
Today, we can also observe that the young pups begin to move with a little more energy, but still sticking within the area. Little difference observed from the previous day, but still some significant differences observed.
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This is an interesting video in which we can observe the following:
1) The fur of the gerbils cannot be noticed yet. Only the different skin colour can be observed. 2) The grown up gerbils just step over the pups, and kick them around with quite a force. 3) The young pups seem to be used to such handling by their parents. 4) Much more as explained in the video. |
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How do pups look like when they are drinking milk from mummy gerbil? Check this out!
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Now we have a first look as to how a young pup looks like 3 days after it is born.
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Day 5 - Skin tone colour is starting to show up. Am I an agouti?
9th December.
Just 5 days in to the birth of the pups, we can actually see quite a difference. Just compare the previous video on the young pup, and the one below. The pup has grown significantly.
Here are some things to note:
1) No visible sign of fur on the 5th day, skin is still like soft raw skin texture.
2) Dark pigment on agouti gerbils become darker.
3) Fingers and toes are not defined yet.
4) Eyes, ears, and nose still has no visible sign of being open.
5) Gerbil is 3cm long.
Just 5 days in to the birth of the pups, we can actually see quite a difference. Just compare the previous video on the young pup, and the one below. The pup has grown significantly.
Here are some things to note:
1) No visible sign of fur on the 5th day, skin is still like soft raw skin texture.
2) Dark pigment on agouti gerbils become darker.
3) Fingers and toes are not defined yet.
4) Eyes, ears, and nose still has no visible sign of being open.
5) Gerbil is 3cm long.
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