New Degu additions - post-mating behaviour???

[roxyandboys]

Hi

I'm new to keeping Degu, but in all the literature i've read i do not recall seeing anything which may describe my females behaviour at the moment.

Duke and Duchess came home with me last Thursday, and have settled in lovely, already taking food from my hand and do not mind the occasional stroke. When we all arrived home and settled in Duke was very obvious about his intentions towards Duchess! ;D

They have had litters previously so i am told, for the first 2 or 3 days duke followed duchess around everywhere, attempting to mount her at every available opportunity.

That has now stopped and Duke has carried on with his important daily activities of cardboard shredding, guard duties and wheel running.

Duchess on the other hand has become very... dosile i guess the word is, she is reactive and looks healthy, eating fine, has a go on the wheel as normal, but most of the past 24 hours she seems to have spent laying down having a snooze or just simply sitting peacefully, Duke comes over and gives her a hug or a belly tickle every now and then.

Is this normal? Do females tend to have a relaxing few days following a "mating"?

Also, since getting them home and cleaning out their cage they no-longer want to sleep in the little igloo they had, choosing instead to make a comfy spot in their cage close to my work desk.

They appear totally relaxed and seem to have taken the move in their stride but i'm worried in case me thinking Duchess is simply relaxing after being "at it" for a few days is actually her coming down with something else.

So, "symptoms" if you like are:

Duke & Duchess - non-stop pottering about and attempted mating and no doubt successfull ones as well.

last 24 hours duchess appears very chilled out, reminds me of a sleepy kitten.

She's eating and drinking

No visable signs of injury or illness like colds or anything

It really does remind me of when one of my kittens has totally tired themselves out playing and could fall asleep anywhere! (Sorry, lots of experience in cats!)

So, does all this sound about right? Should i be worried? If i'd have had them a littel longer then maybe i'd be able to judge better what is "normal" or not, if it were any of my other little friends with the same behaviour i'd not worry, but like i say as i've not kept degu before i'm conscience that i may missing something important.

I'm a just being overly worried?

Any advice appreciated

Cheers

Roxy and her Boys who are.....

Cats - Sam, Deniro, Ringo, Harrison, McCartney, Lennon, Reggie and Ronnie.
Hamster - Kevin
Gerbils - Paris & Helen and Hector and Andromache
Degus - Duke and Duchess
Mice - Edward, John, Henry, Charles & George
Rats - Elizabeth, Victoria and Mary

[ra]

When I bought my first Degu at the petshop "he" turned out to be an already impregnated she. I thought her docile behaviour was because she was so young not knowing "Virgil" was an expecting female. Her name is now Mocha so to be less confusing I will referred to her by her name.

Mocha would play, eat, drink run in her wheel but did sleep a good bit of the time. In fact I was pleased because I thought she settled in rather easily and was trusting enough to sleep in my hand resting in her cage. She would sit up and let me scratch her all-over with a sleepy kind of look then settle in for a nap. (Now she barely stays still long enough for a little scratch and she off again exploring!) Looking back on things I believe this was the behaviour of an expectant Degu Mother. Since giving birth two years ago now, she no longer rest for any long period of time! Nor will she sleep in my hand. I miss that but she and her daughter Tanzania Peaberry seem very content and happy to be together. They are curious and friendly but neither wants to spend much time sitting with me. They much rather take a few treats, maybe a scratch or two then off to re-arrange their Condo etc.

I think all is well with your girl. Will be interested in seeing what others who have had mating couples have to say. I had no idea Mocha was expecting and had never had Degus before so it was all new to me.