I had been worried that my delay in separating my two degus would result in pups. Everyone has told me to separate them as soon as possible because inbreeding could be dangerous. I’d noticed this week that Cleo was getting rather hefty around the midsection and suspected overeating as the cause, though I had some suspicions of something… more… pregnant...
I (very, VERY carefully picked her up, and felt (very carefully I remind you) that her stomach felt, “taught,” almost, bloated. This new evidence furthered my suspicions. I figured she was just starting to show, “one month MAYBE” I thought. I had no idea…
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I awoke the next morning at 6:12am, unusual for me, because I usually sleep passed noon if I’m not working. I figured something must have woke me. Curious, I turned over underneath the covered to turn on my small bedside lamp. Squinting into the near- darkness I peered around the room for the source of the disturbance.
Unable to see the culprit I suspected Degu-ous activities. As I eyed their cage I spotted movement, a dark form flitting across the platforms near the top. Irritated by their decision for a very early morning I laid back down and closed my eyes, hoping, if anything, to rest for another hour or so.
A shrill *Chirp* resound through the otherwise quiet room. My eyes flew open, and I threw back the covers with slight frustration as I sat up to look upon the early risers. The lone dark figure still sat upon the platforms, tail wobbling as it maintained it’s balance. Another *Chirp* sounded, followed shortly by two more. Faint warbling was audible now, from the other, unseen figure, obscured by some piece of furniture perhaps, or hidden by the high bottom of the cage.
I got up to investigate this strange squeaking, perhaps it was what woke me up? I couldn’t be sure. Opening the curtains I looked again down at the cage on my floor. The dark shape, now visible as Antony, was indeed perched on the high platforms of the cage. The other degu Cleo, however, was not yet visible.
My eyes began searching the cage for signs of my other little degu, when I noticed the pile of shredded newspaper and torn Kleenex I recognized to be the nest they had been building this last week. I noticed they’d used small amounts of the hamster fluff I had bought them the night before, and was pleased to see they’d enjoyed it. Having just cleaned and rearranged the cage the day before the nest had moved, and the papers were fresh, but it still had that cozy degu feel.
My eyes scanned the spaces between the tangled strips of shredded newspaper for signs of Degu-ings. Sure enough a patch of
dark brown fur was visible within the nest.
*sleepy head* I thought to myself as I listened to the warbling of my content and sleepy little degu. I pulled back some of the strips of newspaper to get a better look at my still-in-bed baby, and saw something dark, I had taken to be a shadow, moved just in front of her. My hand drew back on instinct, as though it had received a shock.
Panic and excitement filled me as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and tried again to get a good look at the nest. Dark shapes huddled in a clump were occupying a small corner of the nest. Was it possible? Could they be?
As one of the shapes moved slightly, a small head became visible with large Degu-ish ears. Tan-rimmed eyes, barely open, looked frightenedly around the nest, possibly looking for the source of he disturbance that had woken it, similar to my own sudden awakening that morning? Rolling onto it’s side to reveal a bright pink underbelly it pawed at it’s nearest sibling who gave a slight *squeak* of surprise. Today seemed to be the day for sudden awakenings. It’s tiny tail twitched as it tried to stand up, and flopped over nudging into the third tiny baby who squirmed away slightly.
I cautiously moved the tangle of newspaper, Kleenex and fluff careful not to disturb its living contents; I could see no more squirming figures veiled in the clutter. Cleo, though eying my hand warily, made no attempt to shield her babies from my prodding fingers as I made one more attempt to search the nest…
Nothing.
Three babies, three little babies. A small litter, but so beautiful. Three little miracles had been brought to existence right there in my own room while I, unknowing, lay sleeping soundly in my bed, perhaps dreaming of this very moment. Indeed for a moment, I thought I was dreaming.
Was it Antony’s chirp that had woken me that morning? Could it possibly have been instinct? Or was it my own subconscious, sensing Cleo’s excitement of becoming a mother? I suppose we’ll never know for sure.
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Separating them would have done no good, she was already pregnant because I've only had them a month and a half.
I'm wondering, should I keep them together as a couple, or separate them once the babies are older? It's almost cruel to separate degus once they have bred, and become attached to each other, but would it be even more cruel to allow them to breed again? I've heard there are terrible health risks from inbreeding. The three pups seem healthy, up and wandering around. (One of them went wobbling out of the nest less than 12 hours after birth. Adventurous little tyke ^^) and their tiny tails are straight as anything! (I've heard their tails may be crooked if they've been inbred)
I bought them a small reptile heating rock (guaranteed not to overheat.) they love it, they cuddle up and won't leave it (except to wander a few steps around the cage, looking for mommy, it's the cutest thing. One of them seems very adventurous though, he (or she) made it half way across the cage today before scampering back to the warm rock and wedging itself between it's two siblings ^^. *squeaks* so cute.
Cleo is so calm, she’s not possessive at all, and she trusts me completely with her babies. I guess that means she considers me one of the family huh? Like how all the degus in the family will help look after the babies, I suppose she’s just letting me do my share. I try not to disturb them too much as they are so young but they’re so cute I just can’t help patting their velvety baby fur ^^ so soooooooft. I feel honored in a way, they’ve only been with me a month and a half and she trusts me with her babies. I wouldn’t trust ANYONE with my babies the first few days. Especially not if they were as big as I am compared to them. That’s for DAM sure.
Sorry for posting such a long message, they’re just so adorable it’s hard to stop talking. I’ll post some pics once I figure out how. I’m kind of happy the litter is so small, I mean, it’s easier to deal with, especially for Cleo.
1 Pekingese-poodle mix: Pooka (F)
5 Degus: Mark-Antony (M), Cleopatra (F), and their 3 healthy babies ^^
3 Purple Pincher Hermit Crabs: Hermsworth "Hermy" (M), Shelliena "Shelly" (F), Yadokare "Kari" (M)
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