|
Post by degugranni on Oct 28, 2006 21:52:18 GMT
I have done a few different searches of the forums and do not see an answer. I last posted back in July I believe after my daughters two degus had babies. She kept two of them, gave two to her sister and two to a neighbor, the others we had to sell to a pet store. Recently our dogs discovered the "joy" of degus and killed two of them while playing. :'(So we put the remaining four together in one cage up very high out of the dogs' sight. Today we went in and discovered one dead in the cage and it looked like it had been eaten. It was pretty disturbing. We have no idea what happened, all were alive this morning when my daughters got up. Any clues or ideas for us? The adults have been together for at least five months, the babies were born in July so they have been together for some time and looked like they were getting along. Food and water are plenty. Thanks for any ideas.
|
|
Hanlou
Burrowing Degu
Basil
Posts: 284
|
Post by Hanlou on Oct 28, 2006 22:55:27 GMT
Hi. First of all I am so sorry not only for your loss but the horrible way you found your degu.
There is a strong possiblity that it was not attacked by the others but that it died of other causes and the other degus were simply 'cleaning up' the mess. This is only theory, but I know that it definitely happens with rats.
In the wild, a dead rat in the nest could attract predators, so for safetys sake the fellow ratties will eat the dead rat. It doesn't happen very often but it does happen, unfortunately. I don't know whether this could be the case, but it seems more likely.
What combination of females / males were they though? Other people may be able to give you more information.
{{{hugs}}}} to you.
|
|
|
Post by Sunshinemeg on Oct 29, 2006 9:19:07 GMT
Sadly Hanlou is correct, if they had suffered the trauma of the dogs, (which my cousins suffered many years ago so I know how heartbreaking that is) and then one died of an unrelated condition, they may well have felt that the needed to remove the body in the only way they know how in order to maintain their security.
I am so sorry for your lost though, it is always sad to lose a pet, but to lose them in the way you have is most distressing. I hope the rest of your degus give you enough love to get over it.
best wishes.
|
|
|
Post by degugranni on Oct 29, 2006 13:30:29 GMT
Thank you, that is what I suggested to my daughter. All four surviving were females.
The neighbor has two males, we are toying with the idea of breeding, not to "replace" any of them but because my daughter does miss them.
|
|
|
Post by Sunshinemeg on Oct 29, 2006 16:52:24 GMT
breeding needs to be done with the male and female living together permanently, not put together just to "do the business". the male helps with raising and caring for the young you see, and they will only mate once they know and like each other.
|
|