Will my gerbil eat the babies?

Question

i had a question week ago about a surprie litter but were it was to late to move the male from the cage she is more then likely pregnant agian i no that no very good but she will have the other litter while the other 1ns are still ther will she eat them to make room for the new 1ns or can i move them into there own cage with the dad please answer the babies i have are allready week old

Answer 1

I owned gerbils once.  Did research on them to be sure I cared for them right.  Here's what I know....

Gerbils originate from a desert.  They pair up (male and female) for life, never separating.  Once the babies are a certain age, they go out on their own getting their own space and mates.  So, in captivity, you can take the babies from the parents at one month old.  That will make room for the new babies.  Now... if these babies are only 7 days old, mom wouldn't be showing very much yet.  And I wouldn't pick them up and hold them yet.  But, I would stick my hand in there to let them get used to my scent so not to scare them when it is okay to hold them (at about 2 weeks old or so.  When they are able to see and move around.).  I'm not trying to sound like a know it all.  Just trying to help.  Hope my little tidbits were helpful enough.

Answer 2

It's rare for gerbils to eat their babies.

However, I wouldn't recommend handling them just yet- she may abandon them if she feels disturbed.

Also, baby gerbils are slippery little things- I was handling a three week old one last week, and I dropped it. It was fine, but if it had landed awkwardly... Y'know.

Basically, leave as it is for now.

When she has the second lot of babies, if the current ones are three-four weeks, you can take them from the cage, and it's advisable to as well.

But for now, no need to handle them or remove them, as she will not eat or kill them to make way for the next litter.

(Don't listen to hamster breeders- hamster and gerbil babies and situations are very different. It's common for hamsters to kill/eat their young, whereas it's quite rare for gerbils to do so.)

Answer 3

I dont think so. I luv ur websites by the way! They are awesome! Best of luck! Ps: If the male was not in the cage then she isnt pregnant but if he was probably

Answer 4

I'd leave the daddy in there with them.  Gerbils are great dads.  Check out this site it has lots of great info on breeding and such:

www.abcgerbils.com

Answer 5

i highly doubt it i would be more worriedd about the babys being burried in the shavings and suffocating

Answer 6

I had hamster babies & the male killed all the babies... also the mother will need milk & will drink it.. oddly enough.  Im not sure how long the babies need the mothers milk but I would move the mom & babies to another cage asap.