Difference between revisions of "Gerbil Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(→Female) |
(→Female) |
||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
* 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. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
* Altricial offspring. | * Altricial offspring. | ||
** Hairless, blind and virtually helpless. | ** Hairless, blind and virtually helpless. | ||
Revision as of 10:04, 18 July 2008
Male
- Testes descend at 30-40 days.
- 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.
- Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks.
- Form monogamous pairs/harems
- Fighting among males is common
Female
- Bicornuate uterus
- Two channels of the cervix separated almost to the single entrance into the vagina.
- Polyoestrous
- Post-parturient oestrus
- Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.
- Monogamous (in contrast to rats and mice).
- Mating usually occurs in the evening.
- Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the vagina, so cannot easily be detected.
- 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.
- Maximum breeding age is 20 months, but usually the time between the first and last litter is ~1 year.
- Pseudopregnancy may occur.
- Altricial offspring.
- Hairless, blind and virtually helpless.