>I have one female gerbil, who is pregnant since March 1st---at least I
think
>she is. I might be wrong, of course, but I'm relatively sure that I'm not.
>What can be the reason for such a long pregnancy? Or could it be a disease?
I think record quoted is 43 days. Which means she should have
delivered about a week ago....
Unless she's nursing another litter, there is usually nothing that
would cause delayed and extended gestation.
>She is doing fine, eating well and shows no abnormal signs, except
>that she stays a lot of her time in the nest. But I think that would be
>normal if she's pregnant.
Is she looking chunky? If you hold her and gently feel her stomach,
does she feel...'lumpy'? Has she decided that a flurry of elaborate
nest building is her main occupation? (last day or two before delivery).
How are you sure of that date? Was she with a male and he was
removed at that point..and you observed mating before he was?
Are you sure she just hasn't put on weight?
Look up Donna's website, (ABC Gerbils)...she had a contest
a bit back where she posted four gerbil pics, and you were
supposed to guess which ones were preggers and which
ones were fat. Two are chunky boys and two are pregnant
females...(I'm not sure if the pics are still up)
If your female has had access to or been with a male after
the 1 March date (such as she escaped and got in with
a male) then you may have observed mating on 1 March
and none after...but she was impregnated on a later cycle
(about every four days) than you think.
She could be then having a litter in the more normal 24-28
days range; if she hasn't been nursing and caring for a litter
at present.
Staying in the nest isn't normally a sign of pregnancy....
unless she's been on a frenzy of nestbuilding lately.
Are you sure she didn't have just one pup, and the pup
survived, and the reason she's in the nest a lot is that
she's caring for one well hidden one? The time frame
you've mentioned, would mean the pup would be furred
and at about eyes opening. It is unlikely, as small litters
often don't stimulate the mother to produce enough
milk, and they starve; but it could well have happened.
Do give us more information if you can....
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
