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| <big><center>[[Reproductive_System#Small_Domestic_Mammals|'''BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS''']]</center></big> | | <big><center>[[Reproductive_System#Small_Domestic_Mammals|'''BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS''']]</center></big> |
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− | * [[Gerbil-Male- Anatomy & Physiology|Male]]
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− | * [[Gerbil -Female- Anatomy & Physiology|Female]]
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| * Teats are absent. | | * Teats are absent. |
| + | |
| + | ---- |
| + | |
| + | = Female = |
| + | |
| + | == Reproductive Tract == |
| + | |
| + | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]] |
| + | * 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]]. |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | == Puberty and Sexual Maturity == |
| + | |
| + | * Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks. |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | == Oestrous Cyclicity == |
| + | |
| + | * Polyoestrous |
| + | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Oestrous cycle]] length: 4-6 days |
| + | * Post-parturient oestrus |
| + | * Spontaneous [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]]. |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | == Breeding Characteristics == |
| + | |
| + | * 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. |
| + | * Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]], so cannot easily be detected. |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | == Gestation and Offspring== |
| + | |
| + | * [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|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. |
| + | ** Ears open at 5 days. |
| + | ** Eyes open at 16-17 days. |
| + | ** Cannibalisation/abandoment is rare. |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | == Mammary Gland == |
| + | |
| + | * 4 pairs of teats. |