| Our Rodent Breeding Programs |
Last year, we decided to try our hand at breeding gerbils as a side-project in my 10th grade animal behavior class. We
had good success with 6 babies born, and 5 living to weanling age. This year, we will be continuing that project.
Gerbil genetics being what they are, and with very little background on any hidden hets our pair might be carrying, we're
going to have to wait and see what is produced from this new pairing. Depending on how difficult it is to find quality homes
for the offspring, I may or may not pursue other breedings. Their certainly seems to be a dirth of quality gerbil breeders in
the mid-Atlantic area, and most of the local chain stores only carry the common solid colors, with very few of the more
interesting patterns. I am hoping to procure a couple of young spotted males in order to introduce the spotting gene into
our group.
It is worth noting that we firmly believe that a person who allows his or her animals to breed is fully responsible for the fate
of any offspring from those breedings. If we can't find quality homes that we are comfortable placing our baby gerbils in, we
won't breed again, and Romeo and Juliet's offspring will be kept here for the entirety of our lives. We will also carry though
our general policy with adoptable reptiles and take back any gerbil we have bred for any reason should its new owner no
longer be able to care for it any longer.
Breeding any animal is a serious undertaking and requires great responsibility. It should never be done lightly.
My Background With Gerbils
I've been keeping gerbils since I was 15 years old. My first pair, two females, were bred in my high school biology class
and were named Dotty and Charcoal. I was quite smitten by their adorable little faces and wonderful temperaments. I've
had at least one pair around ever since then and am still just as enamored with them as pets.
Why Gerbils Make Great Pets
I have kept many types of pet rodents, from rats to hamsters to chinchillas, and have to say that gerbils are among the
best. Here's why:
In short, gerbils make really good "pocket pets" for adults looking for a low maintenance but interactive animal friend and
families with children. Calm children can do really well with gerbils-- but they are a little faster than the average hamster, so
supervise interactions between gerbils and very young children. It is usually best to allow kids to hold gerbils over a soft
bed so if the gerbil does take a leap of faith off the child's hand, the bed will break its fall, and not its legs.
Want More Info?
If you think you might be interested in procuring a same-sex pair of gerbils from us, or if you want more information on
gerbils as pets, please utilize the following pages and links or contact us. Please note that at this time, we do have a
significant waiting list for gerbil pups.
had good success with 6 babies born, and 5 living to weanling age. This year, we will be continuing that project.
Gerbil genetics being what they are, and with very little background on any hidden hets our pair might be carrying, we're
going to have to wait and see what is produced from this new pairing. Depending on how difficult it is to find quality homes
for the offspring, I may or may not pursue other breedings. Their certainly seems to be a dirth of quality gerbil breeders in
the mid-Atlantic area, and most of the local chain stores only carry the common solid colors, with very few of the more
interesting patterns. I am hoping to procure a couple of young spotted males in order to introduce the spotting gene into
our group.
It is worth noting that we firmly believe that a person who allows his or her animals to breed is fully responsible for the fate
of any offspring from those breedings. If we can't find quality homes that we are comfortable placing our baby gerbils in, we
won't breed again, and Romeo and Juliet's offspring will be kept here for the entirety of our lives. We will also carry though
our general policy with adoptable reptiles and take back any gerbil we have bred for any reason should its new owner no
longer be able to care for it any longer.
Breeding any animal is a serious undertaking and requires great responsibility. It should never be done lightly.
My Background With Gerbils
I've been keeping gerbils since I was 15 years old. My first pair, two females, were bred in my high school biology class
and were named Dotty and Charcoal. I was quite smitten by their adorable little faces and wonderful temperaments. I've
had at least one pair around ever since then and am still just as enamored with them as pets.
Why Gerbils Make Great Pets
I have kept many types of pet rodents, from rats to hamsters to chinchillas, and have to say that gerbils are among the
best. Here's why:
- They seem to be born tame, even if you get them from a pet store that rarely handles their stock, and almost never
bite (I have only been bitten once in 15 years and that was because I intervened in a gerbil fight) - They stay small enough that a pair can live comfortably in a 10 gallon aquarium with a screen lid,
- They have very little odor to them, and don't urinate much, meaning you don't have to clean their cage every week like
you would a mouse or hamster cage, - They come in a multitude of colors and patterns,
- They are diurnal, meaning they are active for long periods of the day instead of only at night, like hamsters,
- They are social and not only can be kept in pairs, but really MUST be kept in pairs in order to be emotionally healthy,
- Finally, their life span (3-4 years) is pretty good for rodents, and perfect for children who may not be able to care for a
longer lived animal consistently.
In short, gerbils make really good "pocket pets" for adults looking for a low maintenance but interactive animal friend and
families with children. Calm children can do really well with gerbils-- but they are a little faster than the average hamster, so
supervise interactions between gerbils and very young children. It is usually best to allow kids to hold gerbils over a soft
bed so if the gerbil does take a leap of faith off the child's hand, the bed will break its fall, and not its legs.
Want More Info?
If you think you might be interested in procuring a same-sex pair of gerbils from us, or if you want more information on
gerbils as pets, please utilize the following pages and links or contact us. Please note that at this time, we do have a
significant waiting list for gerbil pups.
| Our Gerbils Romeo x Juliet (Pairing #1) Romeo x Dasher (Pairing #2) Miles x Flurry (Pairing #3) Same-sex Pairs (NB Gerbils) |
| General Gerbil Care & Info American Gerbil Society Gerbil Genetics Gerbil Breeding Info Gerbil Color Patterns Housing Gerbils Gerbil Forum |
In recent years, Tara and I have developed an interest in raising small numbers of pet rodents. We began
this journey right after the 2011 New Year with a pair of gerbils, and have added a new project since
then-- fancy mice. Below, you will find information on our attempts, and information on acquiring animals
from us.
this journey right after the 2011 New Year with a pair of gerbils, and have added a new project since
then-- fancy mice. Below, you will find information on our attempts, and information on acquiring animals
from us.
Tara raised fancy show mice as a child and it's something she has always been interested in trying again as an adult. The
color patterns available now are much more varied than they were in the 80's and we have a much better understanding of
genetics. We reduced our snake collection by half this year, and have some free space, so Tara has begin collecting a nice
starter colony of fancy mice. Some are of multi-generation show lineage, while many are of typical pet store fancy mouse
quality. She will be starting with color patterns and coat types that she enjoys and building up to show quality animals.
Why Fancy Mice Make Good Pets
Breeding Fancy Mice
Breeding fancy mice is not difficult. Mice are notoriously easy to breed. The difficulties come in deciding which traits to
encourage in your lines and which to cull out. Mice produce large numbers of young and not all are destined for greatness.
Those that fall short of your goals should be sold as pets or culled.
What is the difference between show mice and fancy mice?
Show mice are much larger in physical size than fancy mice and have larger ears. The photo below shows a tan splashed
show buck and a white satin fancy doe.
Want More Info?
We have female mice available! If you would like more information about our mice, or would like to purchase mice from us,
please utilize the contact information on our Contact Page.
color patterns available now are much more varied than they were in the 80's and we have a much better understanding of
genetics. We reduced our snake collection by half this year, and have some free space, so Tara has begin collecting a nice
starter colony of fancy mice. Some are of multi-generation show lineage, while many are of typical pet store fancy mouse
quality. She will be starting with color patterns and coat types that she enjoys and building up to show quality animals.
Why Fancy Mice Make Good Pets
- They are even tempered and rarely bite
- Females can be easily housed together in small or large groups, and many males of show-lines can be kept together
as well - They are small, so living quarters can be small as well, though they will make use of a larger cage
- They are short-lived, which can be a great benefit when children or teenagers are working with them-- they do not live
long enough for children to become bored or go away to college (this can be sad, too, when you have a specimen you
particularly like!) - They come in a wide-variety of color patterns and coat types
Breeding Fancy Mice
Breeding fancy mice is not difficult. Mice are notoriously easy to breed. The difficulties come in deciding which traits to
encourage in your lines and which to cull out. Mice produce large numbers of young and not all are destined for greatness.
Those that fall short of your goals should be sold as pets or culled.
What is the difference between show mice and fancy mice?
Show mice are much larger in physical size than fancy mice and have larger ears. The photo below shows a tan splashed
show buck and a white satin fancy doe.
Want More Info?
We have female mice available! If you would like more information about our mice, or would like to purchase mice from us,
please utilize the contact information on our Contact Page.
| Our Mice Colony Photos (1) Retired Breeders (1) Dexter x Fudge (Pairing #1) Nico x Nicole (Pairing #2) Avery x Sadie (Pairing #3) |
| General Mouse Care & Info The Fun Mouse Fancy Mouse Breeders Forum Breeding Mice (Finnish Show Mouse Club) |
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