Simple Genetics
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Gerbils in the wild are called golden agouti.  The genetic code is AACCEEDDGGPP with no recessives. 

 

The letters used to represent genetic codes are called alleles.  When writing a gerbils code, write the letters in alphabetical order.  If the second allele of a pair is unknown, write an * or -.  The dominant alleles are capital letters while the recessive are lower case.

 

A white belly

aa  solid belly

 

Ccb or Cch only affects coat color if the animal is ee or pp

cbcb or cbch = colorpoint (lighter body, darker tail and nose)

ch caused more lightening than cb

chch is a dark tailed white (if pp then Pink Eyed White, no matter what other recessives are present)

cb = the eye is a “wine” color.  It looks black until light shines into it, and then it has a ruby color. 

 

E  lower band is black on the hair shaft

ee  lower band is honey colored (DEH) 

efef  = schimmel (pups start out orange, fading to cream with orange tail and nose, similar to the colorpoint gene)

eef gerbil will have lightened/orangish tint to coat

 

G controls the yellow middle of hair shaft

gg turns this part to gray

 

P controls the color of the gerbils eyes.  It also affects both black bands of the hair shaft.

P  has black eyes along with normal black banding. 

pp = red or ruby eyes and banding turns grey (argente is an offshoot of the golden agouti. 

 

Sp causes spots. 

Sp gene affects animals with ee like the Dark Eyed Honey and Nutmeg which will be lightened

SpSp is a lethal combination

spsp is a normal colored gerbil

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