Growth of pika in laboratory confinement.
Captive-born pikas (Ochotoma princeps) from 13 litters were maintained for up to three months in a laboratory setting. Mean litter size was 2.69 +/- 0.75, with litters of three the most frequent, and representing 68% of all litters observed. Mean individual birthweight was 11.7 g with a range of 8.8 to 16.8 g. Weights were taken every other day from birth, which yielded a growth curve equation of y = 12.18 + 1.72x. There was a strong positive linear correlation between bodyweight and time (r = 0.98, P less than 0.001), and a significant difference was noted between sexes, with females the heaviest. Subjects reached adult weight within 3 months. These data represent the first reports of growth in this species, and indicate that pikas are among the fastest growing species within the order Lagomorpha.
D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007793:Lagomorpha / Q000254:growth & development*; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000254:growth & development*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal