Growth and Development of Pouch Young of Wild and Captive Dasyurus-Geoffroii (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae)

Abstract

Growth and development of six captive litters of D. geoffroii were monitored at 1-5 day intervals from birth until they were left in dens at about 62-72 days of age. Two neonates were 4.4 mm long and weighed an average 11 mg. By the age of 63 days, juvenile weight had increased 1500-fold, to an average of 16.7 g. Growth of crown-rump length (from 0-40 days) and the square root of head width (from 8-65 days) is linear with respect to time. Wild D. geoffroii were first observed to be left in dens at the age of 62 days, soon after outgrowing the pouch. Wild and captive growth rates appear similar through the first half of pouch life. At older ages, wild litters generally grew more slowly than captive litters; wild litters belonging to thin mothers grew more slowly than litters with medium-weight mothers, which in turn grew more slowly than litters with fat mothers.