T. Matsuzaki et al., BREEDING OF THE NORTHERN GRASSHOPPER MOUSE (ONYCHOMYS-LEUCOGASTER) ASA LABORATORY-ANIMAL, Jikken Dobutsu, 43(3), 1994, pp. 395-401
Laboratory matings were attempted to establish breeding colonies of No
rthern grasshopper mice, Onychomys leucogaster (which were captured in
New Mexico, U. S. A.), as experimental animals. The results were as f
ollows. The rate of pregnancy was 75% with cohabitation for more than
30 days, and 4% with cohabitation from 1 to 7 days. Both cases were of
monogamous mating. The mean litter size was 3.5+/-1.2, with a range o
f 1 to 6. The rate of weaning was 78.8%. The mean gestation period was
27.4+/-2.0 days, with a range of 25 to 31. The gestation period was a
chieved by the method of confirming sperm from smears. Further, it was
possible to breed all year round in a rearing room with fixed tempera
ture and humidity.