Are Female Gerbils Polyestrous and Spontaneous Ovulators?
Gerbils are small rodents that live in desert and semi-desert environments. They are popular pets due to their friendly disposition and their ability to be tamed. Gerbils not only have unique physical characteristics, but their reproductive habits and cycles differ from other animals.
Reproductive Habits
Female gerbils are polyestrous and spontaneous ovulators. This means that they have multiple reproductive cycles each year and ovulate spontaneously, or without the need for stimulation from a male. This occurs when the female gerbil produces an egg and makes it available for fertilization.
Identifying Polyestrous Habits
It is difficult to pinpoint the cycle of a female gerbil, as the gestation period does not last for a set amount of time. This can make it hard for owners to determine when their female gerbil becomes pregnant.
Although the gestation period will vary, the signs of a polyestrous female gerbil can include:
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- Increased Aggression: A female gerbil in heat will often display signs of aggression such as growling, biting, and trying to escape her cage.
- Rough Textured Fur: A female gerbil in heat will often have rougher fur than usual.
- Increased Vocalizations : A female gerbil in heat will often be noisier than usual.
It is important to note that not all female gerbils will display all of these signs, so some owners may not be able to determine if their gerbil is in heat or not.
Summary
Female gerbils are polyestrous and spontaneously ovulate. This means that they have multiple reproductive cycles each year and ovulate without the need for stimulation from a male. Although the signs of a female gerbil in heat may be difficult to identify, they can include increased aggression, rougher fur than usual, and increased vocalizations.
