Gestation period

For mammals the gestation period is the time in which a fetus develops, beginning with fertilization and ending at birth.[1] The duration of this period varies between species.

Duration

For most species, the amount a fetus grows before birth determines the length of the gestation period. Smaller species normally have a shorter gestation period than larger animals.[2] For example, a cat's gestation normally takes 58–65 days while an elephant's takes nearly 2 years (21 months).[3] However, growth does not necessarily determine the length of gestation for all species, especially for those with a breeding season. Species that use a breeding season usually give birth during a specific time of year when food is available.[2]

Various other factors can come into play in determining the duration of gestation. For humans, male fetuses normally gestate several days longer than females and multiple pregnancies gestate for a shorter period.[2] Ethnicity may also lengthen or shorten gestation.[4] In dogs there's a positive correlation between gestation time and a small litter size.

Gestational periods

Animal gestation calendar, 1917. Dates of service and date of birth for mares, cows, ewes, sow, and variation in gestation periods. Also gives gestation periods for ass, goat, dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, goose, turkey, duck, hen, guinea hen and pigeon.
Mammal Gestation period (days)
Alpaca 335-366[5][6]
Baboon 187
Bear (black) 220 [7]
Bear (grizzly) 215
Bear (polar) 241
Beaver 122
American bison 217
Camel (Bactrian) 360-420
Cat (domestic) 58–67, Average 64
Chimpanzee 230–250
Chinchilla 105–115 [8]
Chipmunk 31
Cow 279–292
Deer (white-tailed) 201
Dog (domestic) 58–65, Average 61
Donkey 365
Walrus 456
Elephant (Asian) 617
Elephant (African) 645
Elk (wapiti) 240–250
European mink 38-76 [8]
Ferret (domestic) 41-42 [8]
Fox (red) 52
Gerbil 22-26 [8]
Giraffe 420–450
Goat (domestic) 145–155
Gorilla 255-260
Guinea pig 56-74 [8]
Hamster 16-23
Hippopotamus 225–250
Horse 330–342
Human 259-280
Kangaroo 42
Leopard 92–95
Lion 108
Llama 330
Mink 40–75
Monkey (rhesus) 164
Moose 240–250
Mouse (domestic white) 19
Mouse (meadow) 21
Muskrat 28–30
Opossum (Virginia) 12–13
Otter 60-86
Pig (domestic) 112–115
Porcupine 210
Puma 90
Rabbit (domestic) 28–35, Average 31-32 [8]
Raccoon 63
Rat 21-23 [9]
Rhinoceros (black) 450
Seal 330
Sea lion (California) 350
Sheep (domestic) 144–151
Squirrel (gray) 30–40
Tiger 105–113
Whale (sperm) 480–590
Wolf 60–68
Wombat 26–28
Zebra (Grant's) 361-390

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Gestation period". McGraw-Hill's AccessScience Encyclopedia of Science & Technology Online. McGraw-Hill.
  2. 1 2 3 "gestation". Britannica - The Online Encyclopedia. Encyclopædia Britannica.
  3. ↑ "Average Animal Gestation Periods and Incubation Times". MSN Encarta. Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2009-10-31.
  4. ↑ "Does gestation vary by ethnic group? A London-based study of over 122000 pregnancies with spontaneous of labour". International Journal of Epidemiology.
  5. ↑ Paris Hill Farm. "Alpacas 101". Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  6. ↑ Northwest Alpacas. "Alpaca Q&A". Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  7. ↑ University of Michigan. "Ursus Americanus". Retrieved 2013-01-16.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Anamnese en lichamelijk onderzoek bij gezelschapsdieren, A.Rijnberk, F.J.van Sluis, 2nd print, Bohn Stafleu van Loghum, 2005, (Current Dutch veterinary examination study book for small domestic mammals)
  9. ↑ The Laboratory Rat , 2nd Edition, Eds. Mark A. Sucklow, Steven H. Weisbroth, and Craig L. Franklin. Page 151.
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