Transcript SA115 Gerbil Health and Reproduction

SA115 Gerbil Health
and Reproduction
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Inc. 2005. Permission is granted for use by active AgEdNet.com®
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MAIN IDEA:
How do gerbils reproduce and how are
they kept healthy?
Photo courtesy Ambleside Primary School.
Nutrition and feeding …
Gerbils like variety in their diet.
Gerbil food is a mix of seeds, grains and nuts.
Vegetables only occasionally
Other foods: apples, carrots, chicory,
cucumber, bananas, dry bread
Dry cat food provides protein for pregnant and
nursing females.
Gerbils love sunflower seeds, but too many
make them fat.
More on nutrition …
Gerbils can be fed a
commercially available diet
that is fed to rats, mice or
guinea pigs.
Occasionally, hard foods like
rat chow or alfalfa cubes or a
dog biscuit need to be
supplied to control the
growth of their teeth.
Staff photo/Nancy Crombie
Reproduction …
Ventral scent gland found on the midline of
the abdomen in gerbils is larger and a darker
color in males
Sexual maturity (puberty) at 9-12 weeks of
age for females, and 10-12 weeks for males
Estrous cycle is 4-6 days long
Polyestrous: Females continue having estrous
cycles until pregnant.
Breeding …
Monogamous pairs, with one mate for life,
which should be set up before puberty.
The male vigorously pursues the female, and
can be seen thumping his hind feet.
The female exhibits a mating posture called
lordosis when receptive.
Estrus lasts 12 to 18 hours.
Gestation lasts 24 to 26 days
Litters average 4-6 pups.
Males help to care for the young.
Gerbil pups …
Born without hair,
with eyes and ears
closed, and ears that
lay next to the head
Full coat by 8-10 days
Eyes open at 16-21
days after birth.
Start solid food at
12-14 days
Weaned at 21-28 days
Photo courtesy Purple Kat Kritters.
General health …
Gerbils that have been well cared for are quite
hardy and healthy.
The most common ailment is a cold.
Treatment for a cold is supportive: proper
temperature and a dry, comfortable and
uncrowded environment.
Gerbil diseases …
Red nose – caused by bacteria
(Staphylococcus) and often some sort of
trauma. May be treated with antibiotics.
Tyzzer's disease – bacterial disease (Bacillus
piliformis) that is fatal.
More possible problems …
External parasites, fleas, lice and mites
• Treat with flea powder
• Cage should be cleaned, disinfected and dusted.
Fits or seizures during handling or cage
cleaning. Treatment is not needed.
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This presentation was produced and is copyrighted by Stewart-Peterson®
Inc. 2005. Permission is granted for use by active AgEdNet.com®
subscribers. All other use is prohibited. STEWART-PETERSON and
AGEDNET.COM are registered trademarks of Stewart-Peterson Inc.