Can a pet store sell you a pregnant gerbil without them knowing?

Question

My son really wanted a gerbil so I gave in and bought him one. The one he had chosen was female. Then 2 days later, I went to get him another one...hoping it was a female from the same litter, which had both males and females together. Now the first one seem to be bigger then the rest of them. She is very active when she is out of the cage and notice when she is inside, she does a lot of sleeping and nesting, compare to the 2nd one I just got. I don't think she is sick but maybe pregnant. Is it possible? And if so, what are the symptoms of a pregnant gerbil? The store told me they were about 2 months old.

Answer 1

They are not adults until 4 months of age, so it is unlikely. Most pet stores buy shipments from rodent producers that warehouse their stock together. So, if it is closer to the 4 month age it is possible.

Answer 2

2 months is when pet shops should separate males from females for accidents happen.

A pet store will sell you a female that is pregnant even if they know it is preggers(My manager used to do this and pretend she didn't know). Although, every gerbil is different. Some like to nest and sleep during the day while active at dusk and dawn for they are diurnal. While some will putter around during the day and night sleeping in small intervals.

A pregnant gerbil will have the following signs...

- pear shaped body

- constant nesting and rearranging of bedding

- she may groom her tummy a lot

- nipples become erect(nearer to time)

- scent gland is prominent

Gerbils are also known for false pregnancies where a female gets bigger and bigger, but nothing ever happens. All these signs are prominent in false pregnancies as well.

PS - gestation is about 24-28 days and babies are easy and fun to take care of.

Answer 3

It is very possible, I used to work at a pet shop, and it was no surprise to me if a costumer came in a while down the road and say that there hamster, rat, etc...had babies, go back to the pet shop and tell them that you think the gerbil you just bought might be pregnant, and ask them if they could take the babies when they are old enough which is usually around 6 weeks, they should take them, or you can try to find them a home yourself.

Answer 4

If they do, it is a very irresponsible pet store, but those are quite common.

Always look for certain things in a petstore:  They have a quarenteen area, they can provide the breeder's name, there are at least 2 housing units for each animal clearly labeled male and female.  I will not buy from a store that does not have/do these things.  Most pet stores receive their shipments of animals separated by gender and keep them seperated.  

Answer 5

yes i got a pregnant hamster from the pet store without them knowing

Answer 6

yep.  I got a pregnant guinea pig once.  rodents are able to reproduce at a very young age, so if males and females are caged together at the store nature takes its course.