On Day Four, we had little opportunity to see either Zebra's or Baby's babies. Zebra continued to keep her pups holed up under the green sprial slide. We could catch glimpses of them through the hole, but spying through the cage bottom continued to be our best look.
Baby's pups continued to be easier to see. She still was not completely happy with her den. While the pups remained mostly in the green igloo, I did find one or two banished to the underwheel or plastic sofa hut.
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Amazingly, one strong little pup managed to make several steps out of the sofa hut. But it soon returned to the sofa hut. With its eyes and ears still closed, it is becoming mobile but senseless. I feel as though Baby is pushing this pup to mature; it does seem larger than the others. It's skin is taking on pigment and may even be growing some fur. When Baby sees one of us approach the cage, she positions herself between us and the pups. If a pup is out of the igloo, she carries it home upon seeing us. |
Both momma hammies are quite hungry. They having been eating packaged hammie food as well as granny smith apple slices, cracker barrel cheddar, baby romaine, yogurt drops and crispy waffle treats.
On Day Five, our morning visit was rather surprising. Two of Zebra's pups were out of the den and wandering about the cage. They were each over an inch long. They both had a thin coat of hair and a dark dorsal stripe. They were pretty mobile: walking like pros and climbing the green spiral slide (not all the way). Their little ears appeared.
They are still small enough to fit through the cage bars. I would estimate just over an inch long. But we do not think they can scale the plastic tub below the bars. Another surprise, one of Zebra's adventurers was eating the crispy waffle.
We realize now that Zebra's pups are probably a day older than Baby's babies. Two different types of mothers: one kept her babies secret; the other put hers out there for all to see.
Baby's pups at right on Day Five; Zebra's on left on Day Five. Zebra's litter contains four pups; Baby's contains eight.