What is the recorded range for the gestation period of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot?
Answer
12 to 12.5 days
The reproductive strategy of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot is defined by speed and high output, compensating for its short lifespan. This rapid reproductive cycle includes one of the shortest gestation periods documented among all mammals. The entire period during which the embryo develops inside the mother, from fertilization to birth, lasts only between 12 and 12.5 days. This extremely brief gestation allows the female to cycle quickly and produce multiple litters annually, which is essential for population recovery, especially given the high juvenile mortality rates caused by introduced predators like cats and foxes.
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