Reproduction and survival of short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda) in captivity
Blus, L.J.
Laboratory Animal Science 21(6): 884-891
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-6764 PMID: 4332160 Document Number: 34664
Of 383 shrews born at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Centre, 72.6% survived to weaning, 59.5% to 3 mth, 45.8% to 6 mth, 25.7% to 9 mth, and 8.7% to 12 mth of age. 160 matings resulted in 80 litters with 376 young; of the 38 that gave birth, 14 were live-trapped and 24 were born in captivity. About 30% of captive-born produced young after their 1st mating if this took place when they were aged at least 100 days. The min. gestation period was 17-18 days, and the average 20.9-21.9 days.