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− | <big><center>[[Reproductive System|'''BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM''']]</center></big>
| + | == Male == |
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− | <big><center>[[Reproductive_System#Small_Domestic_Mammals|'''BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS''']]</center></big>
| + | Anogenital distance in the adult is ~10mm (twice that of the female). |
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| + | === Penis === |
| | | |
| + | * Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis. |
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− | == Male == | + | === Testes === |
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| + | * Two testes in an external scrotum. |
| * Testes descend at 30-40 days. | | * Testes descend at 30-40 days. |
| * Active spermiogenesis and mating apparent from 10 weeks of age. | | * Active spermiogenesis and mating apparent from 10 weeks of age. |
− | * Anogenital distance in the adult is ~10mm (twice that of the female).
| |
| * In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour. | | * In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour. |
| + | |
| + | === Reproductive Behaviour === |
| + | |
| * Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks. | | * Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks. |
| + | ** Rubbed along the ground to mark territorial boundaries. |
| + | * Form monogamous pairs/Harems |
| + | ** Fighting among males is common |
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− | * Form monogamous pairs/harems
| + | === Mammary Gland=== |
− | ** Fighting among males is common
| |
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− | ----
| + | * Teats are absent. |
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| == Female == | | == Female == |
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− | * Bicornuate uterus | + | === Reproductive Tract === |
− | * Two channels of the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]] separated almost to the single entrance into the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]]. | + | |
| + | * [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]] |
| + | * Two channels of the [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]] separated almost to the single entrance into the [[Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology|vagina]]. |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | === Puberty and Sexual Maturity === |
| + | |
| + | * Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks. |
| + | |
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| + | === Oestrous Cyclicity === |
| | | |
| * Polyoestrous | | * Polyoestrous |
| + | * [[Oestrous Cycle - Anatomy & Physiology|Oestrous cycle]] length: 4-6 days |
| * Post-parturient oestrus | | * Post-parturient oestrus |
| + | * Spontaneous [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|ovulator]]. |
| | | |
| + | === Breeding Characteristics === |
| | | |
− | * Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.
| + | * Monogamous (in contrast to [[Rat Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology|rats]] and [[Mouse Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology|mice]]). |
− | * Monogamous (in contrast to [[Small_Mammals_-Rat-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|rats]] and [[Small_Mammals_-Mouse-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|mice]]). | |
| * Mating usually occurs in the evening. | | * Mating usually occurs in the evening. |
− | * Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]], so cannot easily be detected. | + | * Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the [[Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology|vagina]], so cannot easily be detected. |
| + | |
| + | === Gestation and Offspring=== |
| | | |
| + | ==== Gestation ==== |
| | | |
− | * [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 22-26 days. | + | * Gestation period is 22-26 days. |
− | * Mean litter size is 4-5.
| |
| * May produce a litter every 30-40 days and can produce a total of 10 litters. | | * May produce a litter every 30-40 days and can produce a total of 10 litters. |
| * Maximum breeding age is 20 months, but usually the time between the first and last litter is ~1 year. | | * Maximum breeding age is 20 months, but usually the time between the first and last litter is ~1 year. |
| * Pseudopregnancy may occur. | | * Pseudopregnancy may occur. |
| + | |
| + | ==== Litter ==== |
| + | |
| + | * Mean litter size is 4-5. |
| * Altricial offspring. | | * Altricial offspring. |
| ** Hairless, blind and virtually helpless. | | ** Hairless, blind and virtually helpless. |
| ** Ears open at 5 days. | | ** Ears open at 5 days. |
| ** Eyes open at 16-17 days. | | ** Eyes open at 16-17 days. |
− | ** Cannibalisation/abandoment is rare. | + | ** Cannibalisation/abandonment is rare. |
| + | |
| + | === Mammary Gland === |
| + | |
| + | * 4 pairs of teats. |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | [[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]] |
| + | [[Category:Bullet Points]] |