Maternal care in captive grey hamster <i>Cricetulus migratorius</i> (Rodentia, Cricetidae)

Gromov, V.G.; Surov, A.V.; Ryurikov, G.B.

Russian Journal of Theriology. Main page

Maternal care in captive grey hamster Cricetulus migratorius (Rodentia, Cricetidae)
Gromov V.G., Surov A.V., Ryurikov G.B.
P. 73-77
In ten female grey hamsters, Cricetulus migratorius, rearing their first litters, both direct and indirect maternal activities were studied under laboratory conditions during the observation period (21 days from parturition) divided into four rearing stages: days 2–6, 7–11, 12–16, and 17–21, respectively. The maternal care was found to include nursing, huddling over, brooding and grooming the young, the nest construction and food caching. Total time spent in the nest by the females was found to decrease gradually during the whole observation period as well as other maternal activities with exception of pup grooming that has maximum rate during second rearing stage. Maternal behaviour of Cricetulus migratorius is discussed in comparison with that one of other cricetid rodents.

DOI: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.5.2.04

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