Rex Coat Gerbil (pending updates)

HISTORY 

The Rexoid mutation appeared in the Czech Republic in 2007. I believe technically originated in Poland. There has been more imports since the original 12 imports arrived from the Netherlands in November 2018. In 2018, Rene Bastaains, sent 12 gerbils to Canada where they eventually made their way to the United States.

It's a fairly new mutation being bred here in the states. We have only just begun to improve on the quality (as if 2021). 

WHAT IS A REX GERBIL?

The Rexoid gene affects coat texture. A good rex gerbil will have thick plush curly coat texture. Curls should be evenly dispursed throughout the coat. The trademark of all rex is their curly whiskers. By one week of age, you will notice curly whiskers on the rex pups.

BREEDING

Rex is a dominant gene so only one parent needs to be a rex in order to produce rex offspring. It is highly recommend to never breed two rex as this will produce the double rex gene. These offspring have health issues, i.e., cataracts, bald spots, and short lives (18 months). A rex can safely be bred to any color standard coat gerbil.

A dedicated breeder will keep the rex pups until they are at least 6 months old. This gives them a good amount of time for the coat to mature. Then keep the best curly coats for future breeding. I find this is the best way to improve on my line.

MOLTING PUPS

In some lines, when the babies begin to molt, their fur is a mess. It can be hard to place these pups in new homes when they look so scraggly. The fur looks patchy and/or has different lengths of fur. Also the base color can be off. Sometimes after the first few molts, the fur appears to have lost some of its curl. This usually improves with age. I have noticed by one year old they can get their curls back. It appears the curls improve with age.