Degu mating??

[degum0m]

I am very new to Degus, haven't even heard of them until I came home with two of them last night!! Very hard situation, the animals needed to find immediate home or her ex was going to set them loose outside. Anyway....Long story short, I brought them into my home. They are supposed to be two males, but after reading the book that came with them, and seeing photos online, they are male and female! She is much more 'plump' than he is and he has been quite 'active' since last night and this morning. Finally, my question is, will a male Degu still try to mate a pregnant female? He's been chasing her all around, she won't stand for him to mate her. It is obvious that he is a he, because his 'male parts' are quite evident as he cleans himself!!! She gets upset when she is removed from the cage and he isn't taken out with her. I have learned so much in the last day. I gave them some toilet paper to nest with (as per another website) and he is taking it into their nest, but not shredding it. So many questions.... Thanks for any replies, Alexa

[buzz]

She will probably not welcome his advances as shes not in heat... but the whole mounting thing is also a display of dominance so he may not actually be trying to mate with her.

Sometimes my boys don't shred the paper till a few days later, sometimes never, just depends on what they feel like.

Plump degus do not necerssarily mean pregnant degus. It might be best to get her checked out at a vets. I don't know if you have any experience with other animals but my friend had this dwarf hamster who he wasn't sure was pregnant but she didnt give birth when she was supposed to. As a result he just left it thinking she couldn't have been pregnant. Now he realises that the babies died inside of her and because he left it too late she may have to be put down if the vet's decide they can't do anything. Basically I'd advise going to the vets as you'll know for definate and if she is pregnant but birthing doesn't happen when it should you know to do something immediatley.

[muddiwarx]

Lucky goos that you saved them Do separate them if you are certain of the gender difference as there are not enough good degu homes around and too many waiting in rescue - males can be neutered. How old are they?