Terminology Male - Buck Female - Doe Offspring - Kits Average adult size Ten inches long (excluding tail) Average life span Up to 20 to22 years (for a pet) Body weight Adult female 450-700 g Adult male 400-500 g Rectal temp 102-103°F (38.9-39.4°C) Body temperature 100.5-102.2°F (38-39°C) Heart rate 100-200 beats per minute Respiratory rate 40-80 breaths per minute Body weight Adult female 450-700 g Adult male 400-500 g Faeces slender, brown pellets 2-3 mm diameter, 5-12 mm long Dental slender, brown pellets 2-3 mm diameter, 5-12 mm long Incisors yellow, grow 5.5-6.5 cm (2.5-3") annually Dental formula 2 (I 1/1 C 0/0 PM 1/1 M 3/3) Oestrus cycle 30-50 days, seasonally polyoestrous (Nov to May); postpartum oestrus fertile; spontaneous ovulation Reproductive life span from 7 to 9 months to death (sexual maturity can be from 4 months on rare occasions so kits must be separated by sex) Gestation 111 days (may be +/- by 4 days) Average litter Two kits per litter is normal, but can be as many as six to eight on rare occasions; two litters per year if not separated Weaning Approximately 6-7 weeks of age, although kits should remain with their mother until approximately 8 weeks of age Birth weight 40-60 g is normal Newborns precocious, fully furred
Male - Buck
Female - Doe
Offspring - Kits
Adult female 450-700 g
Adult male 400-500 g
102-103°F (38.9-39.4°C)
slender, brown pellets 2-3 mm diameter, 5-12 mm long
30-50 days, seasonally polyoestrous (Nov to May); postpartum oestrus fertile; spontaneous ovulation
precocious, fully furred