Investment in Growth by Pregnant Wild Rabbits in Relation to Litter Size and Sex of the Offspring

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Abstract
Female wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) were kept in large enclosures, fed on natural pasture and and weighed at weekly intervals during the breeding season. Date of birth for each litter was determined to the nearest day. Maternal growth during gestation fitted a linear model, and the mean weight increase was 8.2 g day-1 (S.D. = 0.378, n = 211). Growth of females during gestation was not directly related to litter size. Growth of large litters occurred at the expense of non-fetal growth of the mother. Unlike domestic rabbits, there was no reduction in the birth weight of neonates with increased litter size. Birth weight differed significantly between males and females although there was no difference in fat content. Sex ratio at birth was not significantly different from 1:1. The effect on these results of density changes and competition for food was minimized.

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