V. Gerbil
A. General
1. Male–Buck
2. Female–Doe
3. Young–Pup
B.
Breeding Age
1. Puberty
a. 10-12 weeks
2. Reproductive Life
a. Female
i. 2 years
ii. 6-10 litters
b. Male
i. 2 years
C.
Cyclicity
1. Type and Season of Cycle
a. Seasonally Polyestrous
b. Fall
2. Length of Sexual Cycle
a. 4-6 days
3. Duration of Heat (Estrus)
a. 12-18 hours
4. Time of Ovulation
a. Unknown
5. Viability of Ova
a. Unknown
D. Mating
1. Very vigorous mating over a 6 hour period
2. Male stomps between and during mating
E.
Pregnancy
1. Gestation–24-26 days
F. Parturition/Lactation
1. Parturition
a. Pupping
b. Takes place at night
c. Placentophagy
2. Littersize
a. 1-12 (4.5) pups
3. Mammary Glands
a. 10-12
4. Weaning age
a. 3 weeks
5. First estrus after parturition
a. Immediately
