This evening, Scarlett has decided that burying her babies is a good thing. Should I be concerned?
12-04-2006, 07:39 PM
mlededee
Re: Is this normal?
probably not. one of my females in particular does this, especially after i clean or mess with anything in her cage. i think it's just her way of hiding the babies from me. she will also cover them up sometimes while she eats or naps away from them.
12-04-2006, 07:41 PM
rabernet
Re: Is this normal?
Well, I was thinking maybe the enclosure was dirty, and she was "cleaning" so I just transferred them all to a clean 10 gallon and she's buried them all again (wrings hands). It's like she's lost her mind!
12-04-2006, 07:55 PM
MarkS
Re: Is this normal?
A lot of mine will do this, I always have to be real careful when dumping the old shavings out of the tub. I'll always comb though it with my fingers and find all the buried ones. I think it's just her way of keeping them safe from predators when she's off doing other things like eating or drinking. They always dig them up again when it's time to feed them.
12-04-2006, 07:58 PM
rabernet
Re: Is this normal?
She's acting like she's sick of them, keeps pushing them away from her and tunneling through the aspen like a mad woman. If you guys say it's normal, I'll quit being a mother hen. They're just six days old, and her (and my) first litter, so I'm a little anxious.
12-04-2006, 08:34 PM
mlededee
Re: Is this normal?
wait until the babies get a little stronger and can hold on to her teets while she scurries about the cage. she will drag them all over and you will just die--used to drive me nuts!
the other day i walked up to check on one of my mommas--she stood up on her back legs while a suckling babe swung from each of her top two teets. :giggle: now there's an interesting idea as far as body jewelry goes...
12-04-2006, 08:47 PM
Larry Suttles
Re: Is this normal?
Try to just leave her alone. I have many that bury their babies when I start cleaning I believe its just stress.
12-04-2006, 08:48 PM
SnakeySnakeSnake
Re: Is this normal?
Yes, from my own experiences:
At least half of my females will bury their babies to keep them warm/safe... it is surprising when i go to check them out and they are being kept hot by each other and the bedding insulating them.
The digging/going crazy is normal when you put a mom into a new enclosure. She will dig around, get it how she likes it, and then settle back down. I've known babies to go 24-36 hours at least without heat or milk and recover fine. Unless the mother abandons them for 24+ hours, or they are cold to the touch i wouldnt worry.
12-04-2006, 08:54 PM
rabernet
Re: Is this normal?
OK, she's nursing them now, thanks for holding my hand!!!!
12-04-2006, 09:24 PM
kavmon
Re: Is this normal?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mlededee
the other day i walked up to check on one of my mommas--she stood up on her back legs while a suckling babe swung from each of her top two teets. :giggle: now there's an interesting idea as far as body jewelry goes...
now that's what i call a MOMMA :D :worship: :judge:
