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Post by girlrazor on Jan 9, 2007 22:37:33 GMT
Do degus, like gerbils mount even in a same sex pair? As you know, I rehomed these two two days ago, and they're a bit nervous so I haven't had a chance to check the sexes properly. I was assured that they were female, but I caught Luna mounting Diego today and I'm concerned that someone's made a mistake. I've tried to check today but it's hard to check them whilst they're in the cage - and they're too nervous still for me to get them in a jar to confirm.
So my question is, is it normal for degus to sexually mount even in a same sex pair?
I know gerbils do this, but I've read that degus only come into heat in the presence of another male degu...So is it an assertion of dominance or what?
It was sexual mounting, not just piling up on top of the other.
On top of this, Diego is looking a bit podgy, I think she may be pregnant, but the two are only a year old and have been kept together for about that time. I don't know their history.
If Diego is pregnant I will prepare now so that I can find homes for the babies...But I am just feeling concerned for them - I don't ever breed animals intentionally unless I have a goal and everything planned...We want healthy degus out there not inbred animals with medical problems!
If someone could help I would really appreciate it, many thanks.
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sarah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 182
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Post by sarah on Jan 11, 2007 15:59:21 GMT
Speaking from experience, I would try to get them sexed as soon as possible. Can you lure them into a jar with a treat? Or get them to a vet? I don't know if a same sex pair will do the sexual mounting, but I can tell you that when ours started doing it, it was very obvious that it was serious, and not just a dominance thing.
Good luck!
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JoJo
Warbling Degu
Posts: 31
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Post by JoJo on Jan 11, 2007 19:41:02 GMT
I have 3 sisters. They tend to mount each other if one wants to go on their wheel! It seems to be a dominance thing for my ones. But you should check the sex of yours just to make sure!
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