Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Matt Lusty · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject: Kangaroo rats

Heres some more pics of my kangaroo rats (Dipodomys deserti). These were taken today when I was cleaning everything out. Please excuse the boxes and poop Embarassed

This first pic is of the female climbing up the top caged part of her enclosure. This is the first time I've witnessed them climbing. They usually stay on the ground (unless they are hopping)! biggrin.gif
Believe it or not these can jump more than 6 feet in a single bound! Thats pretty far considering the size of them!!

Last pic is of me holding the male, who is the larger and more nervous of the 2. They are both handleable, but the male doesn't like being held for long. I think it's a great body shot though Laughing

I think the female is pregnant at the moment. Hopefully babies soon... Whoohoo!!
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Well butter my bum and call me a biscuit!

Ailurus · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:08 pm Post subject:

wow didnt know anyone kept these. great little critters.

how do u keep them? do they need heating?
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Tom

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Matt Lusty · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject:

They are very rare in the UK Wink

I keep mine in a gerbilarium filled halfway with sand. They have lots of tubes and a nestbox buried under the sand. I also use chinchilla sand for a dust bath.

I personally keep a small heatlamp on during the day, just to simulate a day night regime. This is also essential if you wish to breed Wink

As are other 'tactics' Wink

They are great litle critters, with great personalities.
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Well butter my bum and call me a biscuit!

Lynne · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject:

they are gorgeous wee things.
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Matt Lusty · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks Lynne. They are much better than hamsters or gerbils and don't smell as much Very Happy

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Well butter my bum and call me a biscuit!

Lynne · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject:

i keep looking at the pic of the wee male and laughing at you holding him by the tail!!! no wonder he is shy!!

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Matt Lusty · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject:

It makes me laugh too, considering he's 25% larger than the female and he seems to be a big girlie if held for too long!! Laughing

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Well butter my bum and call me a biscuit!

Lynne · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:08 am Post subject:

years ago, my brother kept, what were sold by the pet shop as 2 gerbils. but they were smaller than the gerbils i have seen. could they have been these. we were just young at the time.

not that am not young now, i mean younger then!!! Very Happy

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Matt Lusty · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:

Lynne - I doubt they were kangaroo rats. These are relatively new in the UK hobby. They were more likely Pallid gerbils. These gerbils are roughly 1/3 the size of an adult mongolian gerbil Wink

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Well butter my bum and call me a biscuit!

KJ Exotics · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject:

Very nice

I seen some for sale but at a high price.
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Kieron
www.kjexotics.co.uk
sales@kjexotics.co.uk
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