Photos. Pearl Meets Penny.

[Die Fledermaus]

Penny, whose photos were already posted, was a rescue. When I got her the tail was bare, like a rat's owing to the conditions she came from. After living, alone, for a few weeks in a tank, the fur came back; I also learned she was not pregnant (to my surprise).

So, she needed a friend. Enter Pearl. Introductions began, including talc on the butt. After removing the divider screen, Pearl, no more than 60% the size of Penny, would hop high in the air every time Penny ran over to her and then hide in a corner looking scared. Eventually, in just two days, they were hanging together, and now groom each other and sleep next to each other. Pearl even has no problem pushing bigger Penny away from the wheel.

BUT. . . what color gerbil is Pearl? She sort of looks like a siamese, but not exactly.



Note the black tail.

[Die Fledermaus]

I've been told elsehere she is a siamese, and she surely looks like some sort of colorpoint. She has an especially calm personality.

[jeannie]

What a cutie - I'm glad the intro went well.

If her nose darkens as she grows up, then she is a siamese.

[Die Fledermaus]

And if the nose does NOT darken?

The nose issue was why I was not certain she is a siamese, but I've been told it may darken as she ages, and that temperature (?) may effect that (the "points").

She has an especially nice calm personality. Typically, I wish her sisters in the tank I got her from well. I feel a bit melancholy with Onyx recently dying (see Memorial forum).

[mishimouse]

Die said:

The nose issue was why I was not certain she is a siamese, but I've been told it may darken as she ages, and that temperature (?) may effect that (the "points").

That is how it goes with mice - the cooler the temperature, the darker the points. Some breeders will stick their siamese mice in the fridge for a minute or two every day so their points darken.

[adara]

She certainly looks like a young siamese to me Her points should show up between 2-3 months old.

[Die Fledermaus]

Squeaking said:

That is how it goes with mice - the cooler the temperature, the darker the points. Some breeders will stick their siamese mice in the fridge for a minute or two every day so their points darken.

Yeow. Let me throw her in the freezer for a awhile!

I suppose if Pearl was born in December she would end up with darker points.

Interesting. Thanks.

[mishimouse]

It's completely stupid in my opinion, something I would not do.

[Die Fledermaus]

Without putting her in the fridge, Pearl is getting slightly darker around her hind quarters and nose. I am not imagining it. Interesting. More photos in due course.

[calvinator1]

Two of my gerbils, Hope and Charity were identified by the breeder as Siamese. Hope has her points now - dark ears, dark tail, dark nose. Charity, who had some white, including a spot on her head and a white tip on the tail, has the dark tail and darker ears but still has a light nose. Still qualifies as Siamese though. Will try to post more recent photos of the girls soon.

[moosemypet]

How cute n.n Most adorable gerbils ever n.n

[Die Fledermaus]

I'll have to take a more recent photo of Pearl, as she has significantly darkened around the nose and ears.