A newborn gerbil
This is a newborn litter of gerbils- this stage should not be overlooked as it is one of the stages that you actually see through the gerbil! Their almost-translucent skin makes it possible to view their heart and other major organs. This is the stage were they are also known as "Pinkies". Gerbil pups are what they are called most of the time. Another note: you can tell the pups eye color- Dark eyed pups will have dark patches were their eyes would be and red eyed pups won't. This may not be noticible until later on. Also know that gerbils are born blind,deaf,hairless(not including whiskers),toothless, unable to smell, and they cannot regulate their body tempeture. Their toes might be a little unseperated.But they can SQUEK! It will be important to have the father in with the pups. Sometimes the father will be better at "momming" than the mother. Only take the father out if he is trying to hurt them or kill them(this can happen with gerbils). or if you don't want to breed anymore. The father will bathe and help them keep warm.I have also come to learn that it may be very hard and maybe not possible at all to re-introduce the parents after the pups are weaned.
Four day-old pups(3-5 days old)
Note the darkening of the skin and the patterns it will make.This will mean that the pup will have dark skin as an full grown adult. This is the age when their toes will seperate. The ears will also open.A coat of fur will start to grow , but it is almost impossible to see.
8 day-old pups(7-10 days old)
The fur will become a little thicker and will be seen on more of the body.Now is the time were can see what color the pups will be(YEAH!!!!!!). You may also be able to sex the pups at this age. The girls will have little tiny dots on their tummys which are their nipples. And you may be able to notice the distance from the penis to the anus on the male. I love this stage becuase the pups will start to wonder out of the nest. When the pups do wonder out of the nest it's no surprise that the mother will pick them up in her mouth while they just squel. It's soo cute!!..........................................~11-16 DAYS OLD~.............................................. Their little teeth will start to grow. A pup with teeth may try eating out of the food dish but it will still nurse for a few weeks. You may want to put Rice Krispies in there, they love that anytime, but it's softer than seeds and corn. And they will definitly be getting into looking around the tank so make sure all dagers are out of their way! Their coat will be thicker now and soft too.~17-20 DAYS OLD~...................................................At this age the eyes USUALLY open. You may as seen in my photo album know that pups could have one eye open but not the other. This is completelty normal and it should not be considered a threat.The other eye will open very soon. Remember the eyes could open before OR after these days. This is just on average. The pup will be acting like a real gerbil by now and will be running, scratching, in the wheel,even though they won't be all the way weaned, drink from the water bottle,playing with othter gerbils, ect. There may be a runt though- if the runt is healthy then the mom will stay with it- if the runt is very sickly the mom will abandon it- at this point there is nothing you can do- it may seem cruel but that is nature's way- NOTE- usually the mom will only abandon the pup if he is about to die- if you suspect that the pup is sick but the mom is still taking care of it then don't just assume that the pup will die- Now back to what I was saying. At this age(17-20 days old it should be able to keep it's body temp. regulated.Pups will probaly have a full coat by now but full ticking may not be preasent, and those fur colors will have a change in the color-exam. nutmegs&schimmles- wil not have changed yet. Also the pups will be skittish and able to be scared VERY easily. always hold over something that is soft or over the cage so that if they do jump out they won't get loose..................................................~28 DAYS OLD~ Pups may be weaned now, if they haven't then very soon. You should keep them with their mother for another 1-2 weeks so you know they are healthy. This is very important for larger litters( the pups will be smaller and weaker). If there are any runts they should keeped with their mother untill their at least 6 weeks old. On one occasion I had one litter folowed by another. In this case it is almost certin that things will go right. The older gerbils will act as parents and "babysit" when mama needs a break. But same with the dad, if they are trying to hurt them then you should take them out right away..................................~8-10 WEEKS OLD~ They will be sexually mature and for sure will mate with other gerbils in the tank.(oppisite sex of course) Nutmegs and schimmels & such changes in fur will be complete.............................~12-16 WEEKS OLD~ The gerbil will be full grown!! CONGRATULATIONS!
