A gerbil on steriods....

I just got a call, I'm getting a springhaas to raise!! I had to look them up, they have a rabbity face on a kangarooish body. One source discribed them as "gerbils on steriods". Everyone mentioned how sweet they are. I'm so excited! She was born today, and I get her on Sunday. Mom must not be nursing her, to get her that early. Or maybe the mom is just one of those animals who can only nurse for a few days. At any rate, she will be tiny and I can hardly wait. K doesn't know yet, he is at work, but I'm sure he will be in love. His chinchilla died awhile back, and he was heartbroken. I just saw a table on lifespans, and actually, Sillispring lived much longer than the average. Springhaas live 14+ years. We are starting to really look at how long our animals will last, a three year lifespan is much too short for us. Although I would still like to raise short-tailed possums again.

Kinkababy is eating like a little piglet. She finished off an ounce and a half this feeding, more than she ever has at one feeding before. Her little tummy is finally rounding out like a baby should be. I want her on the pudgy side before she has to go to her new family, because the babies sometimes don't eat very well the first day or two. Not that we've had any problems with kinkajous being that way, but it's still nice to take precautions. Her new family already has a male kinkajou, so kinkababy will be in good hands. Since she has to go to business classes with us, she is certainly used to people.

I just read that African porcupines can live 20+ years, so April may be around longer than I am. I'm disappointed she isn't arriving until fall, but it's much too hot to transport animals this time of year. Who knows, maybe some of her children or grandchildren will be returned to the wild. Maybe a child who saw her in the educational program will grow up to be a porcupine advocate, LOL!