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#1 (permalink) Today, 06:31 AM
chalcosoma
Egg
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4

Breeding Greater Egyptian Jerboas - Anyone done it?

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Hi everyone

I've got a pair of Jaculus orientalis and have heard that some keepers have bred and raised this species. Here in Thailand no one has managed to do it - the parents typically reject the pups. I really don't want to try and breed them unless I know some way to prevent that from happening.

I appeal to anyone out there who's managed to breed them to share your experience. If you don't want to post publicly, please just PM me.

Thanks very much

Regards

Michael

Jerboas will mate for several hours, in frequent short bursts followed by short chases where the female allows the male to catch her. Once he catches her, the female will squeak and make flick motions to get the male off her. Males will not attack females except in rare circumstances which may also include them having been separated from their original mates, or widowed. A female may attack a male, but usually he is more than a match for her. When first born, jerboa babies are blind, deaf, hairless, and helpless. They drink their mother's milk. The young squeak softly when feeding and being picked up. Eventually they grow bigger, and within a week, they will begin to show skin pigment, indicating their possible fur color and markings. Soon after this, a thin downy fur will grow on them, and they will begin to make their fast yet unsteady way out of the nest when the bed is disturbed. This survival technique helps the babies get out of harm's way in case of a territory invasion.

Thanks for your respomse, it's very interesting.

But can you tell me the conditions they need to breed in captivity?

Thanks

Michael