Is this usual dominance behaviour?

[yasmin]

I went to the vet today and he helped me 'sex' my degu Lilac's litter who are now just over six weeks old. We determined that there are four females and one male (Roku). I put the females back in the cage with the other females and my third adult female Peridot's litter, then started the introduction process with the lone baby male and my adult male Sean.

Sean and baby Roku got along great immediately. Did the neutral zone thing and they spent the time talking and playing with each other. Nothing rough; just the baby running along with the adult and alot of happy chirping. So, I put them in Sean's cage and right away they were preening each other and getting along fine. Then Sean did what I heard is usual: he started humping baby Roku. But it wasn't just a mock-humping: it was complete with ejaculation and all. Baby Roku didn't seem bothered by it but ... is this normal?

[malteser60]

I'm afraid it is. For degus the whole humping thing is very much the way to establish norms and for male degus, well, it can go beyond 'mock' humping. Ok, so I'll try to explaing what I mean. I have for females, but have only recently introduced two small pups. Since then Nutmeg has been desperate for asserting dominance. Now before she would just mount Cinammnon and that's it (i.e. she would 'flop' on top of cinammon). Since the two pups were introduced Nutmeg has gone crazy with the humping. No more is it flopping on top of the other degu. It is full on proper humping... girl on girl. I haven't seen her go for it with all three girls,, well, ever! So, what I'm trying to say is that you're boys well may be over enthusiastic!

[amie]

Elijah was on his own for a while and when I introduced him to four pups (Tyrion, Gabriel, Elliot and Finley) he humped them like crazy. I don't want to sound to graphic, but well, yes.... they do 'make with the happy' and sometimes they'll stop and 'finish the job themselves'. It does calm down. They're just desperate and somewhat confused at times.

[yasmin]

Whew. I was worried that Sean was, um, how to put it kindly, a... uh, he's just desperate, then.

The two of them are still getting along famously. So, all's well in deguland. Thank goodness.

Thnx.

[Kat]

Gerrard did this when I added Teddy. Teddy had a "wet spot" at the base of his tail for two days. Poor boy.

Kat
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